Ramallah - 1/6/2011- the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms was yesterday elected onto the administrative council of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (IFEX), during its general meeting in Beirut, Lebanon. The IFEX council elections took place on the second day of its general meeting, where nominated candidates presented the work and vision of their institutions. MADA representative Riham Abu Aita discussed the important and unique role of the center in promoting a culture of freedom of expression and actively defending journalists and media outlets in the region. Abu Aita went on to discuss the suffering experienced by journalists in Palestine, including the opposition and violations they face from Israeli Occupation Forces, Israeli settlers, and the various Palestinian security forces in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

MADA director, Mousa Rimawi expressed pride in the election of the center as a member of the IFEX administrative council, stating that the honour demonstrates the status of MADA as an important player in the ranks of the network. Since its inception MADA has determinedly exposed violations against Palestinian journalists through its regular press releases, research studies and monthly and annual reports, in addition to creating its own legal unit in 2009 that provides free and impartial legal advice to affected journalists in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip. As part of MADA’s wider vision of promotion on freedom of expression and opinion, the center has continually established new initiatives and resources to facilitate a culture of freedom according to the rule of law among journalists and media outlets, including most recently, the publishing and distribution of a legal guide for media personnel.

Rimawi pointed to the MADA activities to promote Freedom of Expression, which is granted by Palestinian Basic Law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and highlighted MADA initiative to establish Coalition to Defend Freedom of Expression in Palestine in lobbying the government to respect and enforce laws protecting journalists.

The coalition is the first of its kind, and involves the cooperation of 23 human rights media, women and youth organisations..

Rimawi noted that with this nomination and election onto the IFEX administrative council, MADA will be the only current member of IFEX in this capacity from the Middle East. MADA is proud to be a forerunner in the defence of freedom of expression in the Arab world and internationally.

Rimawi expressed thanks to all IFEX members for their confidence in MADA and promised to continue efforts in promoting freedom of expression in the Palestinian territories and globally in its new capacity with the IFEX network.