Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on January 26, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 27, 2026
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UN experts criticize the arrest of journalist Ali Abunimah in Zurich, citing concerns over freedom of speech. Swiss police arrested him due to an entry ban.
GENEVA - U.N. human rights experts and activists on Sunday condemned the arrest of an American, pro-Palestinian journalist in the Swiss city of Zurich, saying it raised concerns about freedom of speech.
Ali Abunimah, the executive director of online publication Electronic Intifada which calls itself "Palestine's weapon of mass instruction", was arrested by Swiss police on Saturday afternoon ahead of a speech in Zurich, the organisation said in a statement.
Swiss police confirmed that a 53-year-old American had been arrested, citing an entry ban, and said further measures under its immigration law were being considered.
UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan called it "shocking news" and urged Switzerland to investigate and release him in a post on X.
"The climate surrounding freedom of speech in Europe is becoming increasingly toxic, and we should all be concerned," said Francesca Albanese, U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Territories.
Pro-Palestinian advocacy group Swiss Action for Human Rights launched a petition to release Abunimah on Sunday. The U.S. mission in Bern could not immediately be reached for comment.
(Reporting by Emma Farge in Geneva; Editing by Christina Fincher)
Ali Abunimah, the executive director of the online publication Electronic Intifada, was arrested by Swiss police.
UN Special Rapporteur Irene Khan called the arrest 'shocking news' and urged Switzerland to investigate and release Abunimah.
Experts expressed concerns about the growing toxicity surrounding freedom of speech in Europe.
The pro-Palestinian advocacy group Swiss Action for Human Rights launched a petition to secure his release.
Swiss police confirmed the arrest was due to an entry ban and stated that further measures under immigration law were being considered.
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