Policemen Fire on Peaceful
Demonstration Injuring Three Civilians
The
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) demands that an
investigation be opened into the injury of three civilians in a
peaceful demonstration organized on 13 June by the Popular Front for
the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) in Gaza city. The three civilians
were injured when policemen fired at the peaceful demonstration.
PCHR emphasizes the need to have strict instructions regulating the
use of firearms by law enforcement officials. These regulations are
essential in order to preserve the security and safety of civilians.
PCHR’s
investigations indicate that at approximately 11:00 on Saturday, 13
June 2009, the PFLP organized a peaceful demonstration calling for
an end to the current Palestinian internal fragmentation. The
demonstration started from Palestine Square and stopped at the
Unknown Soldier Square in the center of Gaza city. While PFLP
affiliates were returning to the PFLP's office in the al-Sarraj
Building in the center of Gaza city, a car driven by members of e
police’s general investigation service stopped the PFLP car; the car
had been broadcasting a call for an end to the Palestinian internal
fragmentation via a stereo system. Farid al-Hawajri, 23, who was
participating in the demonstration, stated to PCHR that the two
parties (PFLP affiliates and police officers) argued. The dispute
was terminated when the police officers opened fire into the air and
at the feet of the PFLP affiliates. Al-Hawajri was wounded by a
bullet to his right side. Two other civilians were also injured.
They are:
-
‘Atef Abu ‘Oda,
54, who sustained shrapnel injuries in the head, and
-
Srour Ibrahim
Abdul Rahman, 25, who sustained shrapnel injuries in the head.
In light of the
above, PCHR:
-
Strongly condemns
the use of excessive force by law enforcement officials against
participants in a peaceful demonstration, including shooting,
beating and other forms of violence and inhumane treatment.
-
Reiterates that
civilians have the right to organize public assemblies, protests
and peaceful demonstrations as a tool to express their protest.
This right is ensured by the Palestinian Basic Law and by
international human rights instruments. PCHR emphasizes that
such activities must be peaceful.
-
Demands that the
Palestinian government in Gaza open an immediate investigation
into these attacks, prosecute perpetrators and take action in
order to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
