The UN Human Rights Office in Palestine said that it is deeply concerned at the continuing restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly by the Palestinian Authority security forces.

"Over the weekend a journalist, activists and a lawyer were arrested. On 5 July, as demonstrators attempted to gather in Ramallah, around 20 more Palestinians, including a journalist, several human rights defenders, a lawyer and their family members, were arrested by the Palestinian police, many of them violently," it added in a statement, a copy of which obtained by Safa.

"We renew our call on all competent Palestinian authorities and security forces to respect and ensure respect for freedom of expression and assembly and release anyone detained for exercising these protected freedoms," it stressed.