Ref: 70/2008

Date: 04 August 2008

Time: 12:30 GMT

PCHR Condemns the Dispersion of a Peaceful Assembly of the Hizb Ut Tahrir by Security Services in Tulkarm

PCHR condemns attacks by Palestinian security services against the participants in a peaceful assembly called for by the Hizb Ut Tahrir (Liberation Party) in Tulkarm, and against two journalists on Saturday, 2 August 2008. PCHR calls for investigation into such attacks and bringing the perpetrators to justice. PCHR further stresses that the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression are ensured under the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 16:30 on Saturday, 2 August 2008, a peaceful demonstration organized by the Hizb Ut Tahrir in the center of Tulkarm on the anniversary of the fall of the Islamic Khilafa. Immediately, members of Palestinian security services dispersed the demonstrators using force. Security officers violently beat the demonstrators. As a result, 4 demonstrators were injured. Security officers also attacked Sami al-Sa’ei, a reporter, and Mo’ayad al-Ashqar, a photographer, both working for the local Ma’an News Agency. They also confiscated the two journalists’ cameras.

It is worth noting that a delegation from the Hizb Ut Tahrir visited PCHR’s office in Gaza and informed PCHR about the steps their party had taken to organize the demonstration, including informing the Palestinian police about the organization of the demonstration according to the law.

In light of the above:

1.      PCHR Strongly condemns the prevention of peaceful demonstrations in the West Bank and the use of force in dispersing demonstrators, including the use of batons and other forms of violence and inhumane treatment, and stresses that people have the rights to organize peaceful assemblies, public meetings and demonstrations in accordance with the law.

2.      Emphasizes that neither the governor nor the police has any legal right to license or prevent any public meeting, peaceful demonstration, or any other form of peaceful assembly, as the law calls for only “informing” the governor or the police by the organizers, and that the police has the right to put some limitation “for traffic control.”

3.      PCHR expresses utmost concern over the recurrence of violations of the right to freedom of expression and press freedoms, and calls for providing protection to journalists and the media to be able to work freely. PCHR further stresses that the right to freedom of expression is ensured under the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments.

4.      PCHR calls upon concerned authorities to immediately investigate such attacks, take legal actions against their perpetrators and take necessary steps to ensure their non-recurrence.