Sami Hamdi, a British journalist and political commentator, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on October 25th 2025, after publicly criticizing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. His visa was revoked under vague “national security” claims—just days after he spoke truthfully about civilian suffering and international law.

Let’s be clear:

• This is political retaliation.
• This is suppression of free speech.
• And a violation of press freedom and human rights. 

According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), this is part of a broader trend of targeting pro-Palestinian voices—both American and international. Reports suggest that Trump-aligned figures are even taking credit for Hamdi’s detention.

No journalist should be punished for telling the truth. Silencing dissent through intimidation and detention sets a dangerous precedent that threatens journalists everywhere.

Both the U.S. and the U.K. are bound by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantee the right to:

“Receive and impart information and ideas without interference and regardless of frontiers.”

Silencing one journalist endangers all❗️

We, the undersigned and supporters of press freedom worldwide, call on the Trump Administration, the Keir Starmer Government, and the United Nations to act immediately to restore justice:

1. Release Sami Hamdi immediately and publicly account for his detention, ensuring it is never repeated.

2. End politically motivated and discriminatory immigration practices, and ensure visa decisions are based on law and evidence—not Islamophobic conspiracy theories or foreign government pressure.

3. Investigate extremist influence in U.S. immigration and foreign policy, including claims of interference by anti- Palestine and anti-Muslim operatives, and hold those responsible accountable.

4. Raise this case internationally, including at the United Nations, reaffirming that freedom of expression is a universal right that cannot be punished for political reasons.

5. U.K. diplomatic intervention to defend and uphold its British values of justice, free speech, and the rule of law.

To the United Nations:

•  Investigate this case as a violation of press freedom and international human rights obligations.
• Urge member states—including the U.S. and U.K.—to guarantee the safety of journalists who expose state abuses or challenge allied powers.
• Reassert that freedom of expression is a universal right, not a privilege granted by politics.

⚠️ Sami Hamdi is being punished for speaking truth to power.

⚠️ Journalists must never be silenced for doing their jobs.

⚠️ Freedom of speech should never depend on who you criticize—or which side of history you stand on.