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Germany has made a decisive move to overturn the Schengen-wide entry ban imposed on Professor Ghassan Abu-Sitta, a British-Palestinian surgeon, following weeks of legal challenges. The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP) broke the news, celebrating what they deemed a significant victory for Professor Abu-Sitta's freedom to travel.
"After weeks of difficulties, Professor Ghassan Abu-Sitta has won a huge victory as lawyer Alexander Gorski, ICJP lawyers and ELSClegal succeeded in challenging Germany’s Schengen-wide travel ban on the war surgeon," stated the ICJP.
The ICJP attributed the ban to Germany's alleged unfair treatment of Professor Abu-Sitta, asserting that he was barred from entry due to his claims of witnessing war crimes in Gaza during his humanitarian work. According to the ICJP, this denial infringed upon his rights to freedom of expression and travel, affecting his ability to enter not only Germany but also France and the Netherlands.
"With the ban overturned, Ghassan should be able to travel freely around the Schengen area once again," declared the ICJP.
The saga unfolded when Professor Abu-Sitta was invited to participate in a French senate meeting regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite his invitation, he faced entry denials upon arrival in Paris, stemming from the broader Schengen ban initiated by Germany.
Expressing his sentiments on social media, Professor Abu-Sitta criticized Europe for attempting to silence witnesses to alleged genocide. Despite the entry hurdles, he managed to join the conference via video call, thanks to legal interventions.
Amidst Professor Abu-Sitta's frustrations with the Schengen ban, Raymonde Poncet Monge, the Europe Écologie-Les Verts senator organizing the conference, echoed dissatisfaction with the situation. She deemed such actions unacceptable and sought explanations from the Ministry of Interior regarding the matter.
The reversal of the Schengen ban marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over freedom of expression and mobility, particularly concerning individuals vocal about contentious geopolitical issues.
By fLEXI tEAM