The special rapporteur for the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, during a session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, on March 26, 2024. (Credit: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)
U.N. human rights experts and activists condemned Sunday the arrest of a pro-Palestinian American journalist in the Swiss city of Zurich, raising concerns regarding freedom of expression.
Ali Abunimah, executive director of the online publication "Electronic Intifada" — which describes itself as "Palestine's weapon of mass instruction" — was arrested by Swiss police on Saturday before a speech in Zurich, the organization said in a statement. Swiss police confirmed that a 53-year-old American was arrested, citing an entry ban, and noted that further measures were being considered under immigration law.
A "toxic climate" surrounding freedom of expression
U.N. special rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Irene Khan, called the arrest "shocking news" and urged Switzerland to investigate and release the individual in a message posted on the X platform.
"The climate surrounding freedom of expression in Europe is becoming increasingly toxic, and we should all be concerned," Francesca Albanese, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied territories, stated.
The pro-Palestinian association Action Swiss for Human Rights launched a petition Sunday advocating for Abunimah's release. A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Bern specified that it was providing appropriate consular assistance after becoming aware of reports of an American citizen's arrest, declining further comment.
