January 26, 2011
Ministry of Interior in Gaza Confiscates Copies of Novels Claiming Their Violation Islamic Shari’a
Ministry of Interior in Gaza Confiscates Copies of Novels Claiming Their Violation Islamic Shari’a

 Ref: 02/2011

 

On Sunday, 23 January 2011, the police General
Investigation Bureau (GIB) in Gaza City
confiscated copies of two novels: “Chicago” and “Banquet for
Seaweed.” The confiscation was
based on a decision issued by the Ministry of Interior. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
(PCHR) denounces and calls for stopping these measures, which violate the right
to freedom of opinion, expression and circulation ensured under the Palestinian
Basic Law and international human rights standards. 

 

According to investigations conducted by PCHR,
at approximately 13:30 on Sunday, 23 January 2011, 4 persons, one of whom was
wearing military uniform, who introduced themselves as members of the GIB,
confiscated copies of two novels – Alaa al-Aswany’s “Chicago” and
Haidar Haidar’s “Banquet for Seaweed” – from Ibn Khaldoun bookstore
opposite to al-Azhar University in the west of Gaza City. The GIB members presented a decision issued
by the Ministry of Interior in the Gaza Strip ordering confiscation of a number
of novels, including the aforementioned ones. They also informed the owner of the bookstore to refer to al-Abbas police
station to obtain a document proving the confiscation of the two novels. They further claimed that the two novels
violate the Islamic Shari’a (Islamic Law).

 

At the same time, 3 persons wearing civilian
clothes, went to al-Shorouq bookstore. They introduced themselves as members of the GIB and presented an order
issued by the Ministry of Interior ordering confiscation of 3 novels:
“Chicago;” “Banquet for Seaweed;” and “Forbidden
Pleasure.” They confiscated copies
of the first two novels as the third one was not available in the
bookshop. They also informed the owner
of the bookstore to refer to al-Abbas police station to obtain a document
proving the confiscation of the two novels.

 

Earlier, two persons wearing civilian clothes,
who introduced themselves as members of the Internal Security Service, went to
Sameer Mansour bookstore opposite to the Islamic University in Jamal Abdul
Nasser Street in the west of Gaza City. They requested an employee to show them the two novels –
“Chicago” and “Banquet
for Seaweed.” When the employee
showed them copies of the two novels, they ordered him not to sell them until
necessary measures are taken with regard to them.

 

Major Ayman al-Batniji, spokesman of the
Palestinian police, told a PCHR field worker in a phone call on Monday, 24
January 2011, that he had no information about such measures, but he digressed
claiming that these novels violate the Islamic Shari’a.

 

PCHR strongly condemns the confiscation of
copies of novels by GIB members, and:

 

1) Demands stopping
the confiscation of copies of novels from bookstores in order to maintain the
right to freedom of opinion, expression and circulation.

2) Stresses that
the Palestinian Basic Law ensures the right to freedom of opinion, expression
and publication, as its Article 19 provides that “Freedom of opinion may
not be prejudiced. Every person shall
have the right to express his opinion and to circulate it orally, in writing or
in any form of expression or art, with due consideration to the provisions of
the law;” and Article 27(2) provides that “Freedom of audio, visual,
and written media, as well as freedom to print, publish, distribute and
transmit, together with the freedom of individuals working in this field, shall
be guaranteed by this Basic Law and other related laws.”

3) Expresses deep
concerns over the confiscation of books from the market, which if continued to
be applied, will not be limited to the claim of violation of the Islamic
Shari’a, but will escalate to include confiscation on numerous political
grounds.