Ramallah: Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS” condemned assaulting peaceful protesters and using disproportionate force by security apparatuses affiliated with “HAMAS” movement in Gaza Strip. Against peaceful assemblies went out on Thursday, 14/3/2019 and Friday 15/3/2019 in different areas of Gaza Strip in protest against the price rises, the deterioration of living conditions and the implementation of more taxation on citizens by the de facto authority in the Gaza Strip. This represented a violation against and an assault on citizens and their freedoms. “SHAMS” Center also condemned the arresting several citizens by security apparatuses there because of starting or joining this campaign against high prices via social media networks and or field protests, which took place without observing the legal standards required, according to the Palestinian laws in force, and by security personnel in civilian clothes who participated in such repression and detention in some cases.
“SHAMS” center underlined that the right to peaceful assembly is one of the basic human rights guaranteed by international conventions & treaties, mainly the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), that Palestine acceded to in 2014, and the Palestinian Basic Law in its article 10, which states: “Human rights and fundamental freedoms shall be protected and respected”. As well, article 19, which states that ” Freedom of opinion may not be prejudiced; every person has the right to express his opinion and circulate it orally, in writing, or in any other form of expression or art, with due consideration to the provisions of law”. in addition to The Palestinian Public Meetings Law No. 12 of 1998, which provided for the right to a meeting right shall not be undermined , given that this right is associated with the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the right to associations, and the right to participate in the conduct of public affairs.
“SHAMS” center expressed its rejection and denunciation of the continuation of such practices and attacking citizens Including human rights activists and human rights defenders. The center also consider assaulting on the staff of the Independent Commission for Human Rights, represented by its director and complaints coordinator as well as assaulting on the staff of other human rights organizations, lawyers and journalists, in the course of their duties to follow up on current events, as an extremely serious matter . The center stresses its absolute solidarity with them, and it emphasized that official bodies in Gaza strip are fully accountable for their safety and the rest of the citizens.
“SHAMS” center also called the de facto authority in Gaza Strip for the immediate release of the arrested, it also urged authorities there to stop chasing activists and to open a serious, impartial and urgent investigation into the attacks and to bring the aggressors to justice. The center also calls upon the authorities to respect the International Law, Palestinian laws and human rights standards and stop violating it by allowing citizens to express their opinion peacefully and freely, and exercise their right to peaceful assembly.