Ramallah – 11/8/2014: Mr. Jan De Pauw, consul of the Kingdom of Belgium in Jerusalem in charge of political affairs, visited the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) this morning. The meeting was attended by Dr. Ghazi Hanania, Chairman of MADA, Mr. Mousa Rimawi, General Director of MADA, and MADA staff.

Dr. Hanania welcomed Mr. De Pauw and discussed the difficult humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing Israeli attack which has caused the death of nearly 2,000 people, mainly civilians, and a massive destruction of houses and vital infrastructure. Mr. Jan De Pauw conveyed the sincere wish of the Belgian authorities for a final and sustainable solution of the conflict and calls on all parties to work in that regard.

Mr. Rimawi then presented an overview of the activities and programs of MADA in the field of media development and media freedoms, and in particular MADA’s daily monitoring of media violations in the Palestinian territories. He pointed out that the past two months have seen some of the worst attacks against news providers and media outlets in the whole Palestinian history, with 13 journalists and media workers killed during the Israeli offensive in Gaza.

MADA’s director also explained the work that MADA and its partners have been conducting in the field of legislation with the drafting and advocating of an Access to Information Law in Palestine.

Mr. Jan De Pauw expressed his interest in MADA’s activities which are consistent with the efforts of the Belgian authorities to promote democracy, human rights and good governance in Palestine, and mentioned some concrete ways to enhance cooperation.

Mr. Rimawi insisted that the most urgent was that the Belgian authorities and the international community at large put pressure on the Israeli government so that it ends its dangerous violations of media freedoms in Palestine.