Palestine: Charities, NGOs face attacks
In its latest report, the Independent Commission for Human Rights said the number of reported attacks on charitable associations and civil society organisations increased in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) publishes a monthly report on major violations of human rights and freedoms throughout the controlled territory of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)
Based on monitoring and documentation of infringements on human rights and freedoms during August 2008, the ICHR concludes:
- Particularly in the Gaza Strip, protection of human rights and freedoms sharply declined. Due to excessive use of force, death toll has risen
- Reported attacks on charitable associations and civil society organisations increased in both the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. In addition to closing a number of associations and organisations, others had their management boards replaced or assets seized
- Without reference to relevant provisions of the Palestinian Basic Law and Law of Penal Procedure, incidents of arbitrary, abusive detention climbed throughout the PNA-controlled territory
During the month, the ICHR reported that 36 citizens died throughout the PNA-controlled territory. Of these, 15 citizens were killed due to excessive use of force during a military campaign carried by the security forces of the deposed government in the Ash Shuja'iya neighbourhood in the Gaza Strip.
A number of citizens were injured as a result of arms misuse
The ICHR views with serious concern the continuing violation of detainees' right to physical safety. As in previous months, the ICHR received grievances during August 2008.
Complainants claimed that they were subjected to torture and abuse by security agencies of both the PNA in the West Bank and the de facto government in the Gaza Strip.
As in July 2008, over 200 charitable associations and civil society organisations remained closed in the Gaza Strip by a decision made by the Minister of Interior at the deposed Government.
Although the Ministry of Interior announced that 70 associations and organisations were reopened, the ICHR documented that the Ministry did not redeem any seized assets to respective directors. Therefore, these charitable associations and civil society organisations continue to be closed for the second month consecutively.
The full monthly report for August 2008 is available from the ICHR
website: www.ichr.ps
