GENEVA – U.N. human rights experts and activists on Sunday condemned the arrest of a pro-Palestinian American journalist in the Swiss city of Zurich, saying it raised concerns about the freedom of expression.
Ali Abunimah, executive director of the online publication Electronic Intifada – which bills itself as “the Palestinian weapon of mass education” – was arrested by Swiss police on Saturday before a speech in Zurich, the organization said in a statement. press release.
Swiss police confirmed a 53-year-old American man had been arrested, citing an entry ban, and said further action under immigration law was being considered.
The UN special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, called the arrest “shocking news” and urged Switzerland to investigate and release him in a post on the social media platform x.
“The climate surrounding freedom of expression in Europe is becoming increasingly toxic and we should all be concerned,” said Francesca Albanese, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied territories.
Swiss pro-Palestinian advocacy group Action (WA:) for Human Rights launched a petition on Sunday to free Abunimah.
A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Bern said it was providing appropriate consular assistance after becoming aware of reports of the arrest of a US citizen, declining further comment.
