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UN urges removal of restrictions on journalists after Al Jazeera closures and arrest of Italian reporter in Iran
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Summary
The UN spokesperson said media outlets in the West Bank should be able to operate without hindrance and called for the unconditional release of Italian journalist Cecilia Sala, detained in Tehran since Dec. 19, while rejecting selective approaches to press freedom.
The United Nations called on authorities to ensure journalists can operate without hindrance after reports of the closure of Al Jazeera offices in the West Bank and the arrest of an Italian journalist in Iran.
At the UN briefing, journalist Gabriel asked whether the secretary-general condemns the Palestinian Authority's closure of Al Jazeera offices in the West Bank. UN spokesperson Farhan said the UN wants Al Jazeera and all media outlets in the West Bank "to be able to go about their work without hindrance and without obstruction," and that any restrictions impeding the work of journalists should be lifted.
On the arrest of Cecilia Sala, who has been detained in Tehran since Dec. 19, Farhan said the UN expects journalists "to be released unconditionally" and reiterated the organization's position that journalists should be able to do their work without obstruction.
When asked about perceived inconsistency in UN responses to press restrictions in different countries, the spokesperson said the UN position is consistent globally and that human rights colleagues assess situations and speak out as appropriate, noting: "We want press everywhere to be able to go about their work fairly. The conditions in each country and the conditions of legislation are evaluated."
Ending: The spokesperson did not announce specific follow-up actions but framed the statements as reaffirmations of the UN position that press freedoms should be protected globally and that individual detained journalists should be released.
