PCHR has
just published a
report on price increases in the Gaza Strip. “The Phenomena of Price
Increases and Their Impact on the Economic and Social Rights of Gaza Strip
Civilians" investigates increases in prices of goods in Gaza between 1 July
2007 and 30 June 2008, including the prices of food, medicine and fuel.
The
report analyses the causes of price increases across the Gaza Strip during
this period, and the relationship between prices for goods in Gaza compared
to world averages. In addition, it details the impact of the Israeli
occupation Forces (IOF) ongoing siege on prices across the Occupied
Palestinian territory (OPT) in general, and the Gaza Strip in particular,
since July 2007. The report reveals the extent of chronic shortages in goods
due to IOF restricting imports to Gaza to nine basic categories. There have
subsequently been dramatic price increases for some items, mainly food,
medicine and fuel items.
The
report criticizes the monitoring role played by the Government in Gaza, and
its current inability to intervene in order to protect Gaza consumers,
including the chronically poor, against monopolies that have exploited the
ongoing siege of Gaza, causing prices for some goods to spiral. These
monopolies have manipulated price increases and have to date remained
unaccountable. This in turn has severely affected the ability of Gaza’s 1.5
million civilians to purchase the range of goods they need, causing a
chronic deterioration of living standards and socio-economic rights, and
violating basic human rights to appropriate living conditions, health and
education.
Finally,
the report provides recommendations that could contribute to alleviating the
impact of price increases on Gaza’s civilian population. These
recommendations include an urgent call to the international community to
pressure Israel to end its closure and siege policy towards the Gaza Strip.
In addition, the report calls upon the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)
to work towards overcoming the catastrophic damage caused by the IOF siege
of the Gaza Strip, as well as using dialogue and law in order to resolve the
disputes between the conflicting parties in Ramallah and the Gaza Strip. The
report also asks the government in Gaza to intervene regarding price
increases, using a variety of mechanisms, including tightening control on
Gaza markets and the price of goods, and activating Law No. 21 (2005) that
relates to consumer protection, in order to protect consumers and retailers,
and especially to offer protection to Gazans living in chronic poverty.
Note: The
Arabic
version of the report is currently available on PCHR's web site. An
English version will be published after translation.
