21/ 3/2011: The Defending Freedom of Expression Coalition held its first meeting at the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) headquarters in Ramallah. The execution committee discussed the coalition’s future plans and actions and internal issues, including the mounting requests of organizations and individuals to join the coalition.

The committee accepted membership of the following organizations today: The Palestinian Center for Independence of the Judiciary and Legal profession (MUSAWA), Leaders Organization, Wattan TV, Human Rights & Democracy Media Center (SHAMS), The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH), Ma’an News Agency; and Mohammed Abu Allan and Jamal Aruri as individual members.

The coalition now includes 23 media, human rights, women and youth organizations, with membership application still open institutions and personalities concerned with and active in the promotion of freedom of expression.

The committee discussed the deteriorating situation of media freedoms in the Gaza Strip, expressed their condemnation of the attacks on journalists and media institutions in the Gaza Strip, and appealed to Gaza officials to halt all violations, to hold violators accountable, and to respect the freedoms of opinion, expression, and assembly.

The coalition first announced its formation last month with 17 Palestinian member institutions from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Coalition execution committees were then selected, and currently include: The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA), the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights, the Women's Affair’s Technical Committee, the Palestinian Institute for Communication and Development and the Women Journalists South forum.

Contact:

Riham Abu Aita

Public Relation Officer

riham@madacenter.org

www.madacenter.org

00970 2 2976519