PRESS RELEASE

Released @ 14:00 hours GMT 28th September 1997

PALESTINIAN CIVIL SOCIETY THREATENED

BY PNA CLOSURE OF LEGITIMATE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS IN GAZA

On Thursday 25 September 1997 Palestinian security forces closed more than 20 offices and branches of Islamic charitable institutions. These are legally licensed charities offering social, welfare and education services to Palestinians with thousands benefiting from their services.

The Palestinian Centre expresses its outrage at the closure of Palestinian charitable organisations in the Gaza Strip. These draconian measures have been undertaken by the Palestinian National Authority, as part of its crackdown against Islamic institutions and individuals – around 30 citizens have been arrested in Gaza alone. Not even the

Attorney-general was notified of these measures though his approval is required by Palestinian law.

These arrests and the closures of the institutions have occurred as a direct result of pressure placed on the Palestinian National Authority by Israeli and US Governments, who have demanded the “dismantling” of the so-called Islamic “infrastructure”. This pressure and these draconian measures violate human rights, diminish hopes for Palestinian democracy and wreck Palestinian civil society and the rule of law.

These are serious human rights violation and immediate action must be taken by the international community.

1. Israel and the United States have violated their obligations under international human rights treaties by demanding that the Palestinian National Authority undertake massive arrest campaigns and close civil society institutions. In making these demands both Israel and the US were warned of the human rights consequences of these actions.

The absolute closure was held in place in order to force the Palestinian National Authority to conform to demands for it to carry out human rights violations. Israel and the US, in providing its support, has acted unlawfully: by using an unlawful means of pressure – the absolute closure – which is itself a serious violation of international law in breaching the provisions against collective punishment and breaching human rights standards.

2. Despite the Palestinian National Authority carrying out these actions Israel has made no effort to lift the closure and appears unwilling to do so. Clearly, the Israeli Government is not satisfied by the measures already taken. It is likely that further measures will be demanded; a situation that may continue to spiral ever downwards, with greater demands and increasing pressure.
3. The draconian measures and their consequences were known; arbitrary arrests, arbitrary closures, made purely because of these groups and individuals religious association and belief.
4. The effect of these measures has been to inflict severe damage to efforts to establish a pluralist democracy in Palestine and has wrecked civil society and the rule of law.
5. The closure of humanitarian charitable institutions occurs when a serious humanitarian concerns exist. The Israeli Government has maintained a very strict or absolute closure uninterrupted since 30 September 1997. The poorest in Gaza will be severely hit by the close of the charities, at a time when their circumstances are already precarious.
6. These demands and actions are occurring while Israel in continuing and increasing the intensity and frequency of its own human rights violations against Palestinians. Arrests are being undertaken, house demolitions, confiscation of land and the building and expansion of settlements. These not only violate international law but seriouslybreach the spirit of the peace agreements and are being carried out with impunity

This is an extremely grave human rights situation and immediate and decisive action is required from the international community.

The Palestinian Centre condemns in the strongest terms the actions undertaken that violate human rights.

The Palestinian Centre denounces the recent measures by PNA and demands that the orders for closing charitable institutions and the arrest of citizens be nullified.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights calls on:

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    a) immediately act to stop the demands being made by the United States and Israeli Governments for human rights violations;

    b) to pressure Israel, and the US in its support, to cease violate the human rights of Palestinians through closure, settlement expansion and building, house demolitions and other measures;

    c) to ensure that human rights, international law and the peace agreements are respected;

    d) to support in resisting attempts by the Palestinian National Authority and ensure that it continues to resist attempts to violate human rights but instead that it focuses on the building and development of civil democratic society in which the rule of law and human rights are respected.

  1. the Palestinian National Authority to resist and condemn all pressure placed on it by Israel and the United States to conduct human rights violations. It calls on the PNA to reverse its actions closing the charities and in arresting individuals.

  2. the Attorney-General to exercise his powers and duties as vested in him by Palestinian law. By failing to even to make any attempt to assure that the law is followed the very foundations of the rule of law and civil society are undermined.

  3. the United States and Israel to cease human rights violations and support for them

  4. the international community, governments around the world and international organisations to:-

Charitable Institutions Closed

The Palestinian Centre’s Fieldwork Team reported that the following registered charitable institutions were closed under orders, on 25 September 1997.

– The Islamic Society (Al Jamayia Al Islamiya), a charitable organisation providing cultural and educational services, directed by Sheikh Ahmed Bahar. The main headquarters in Gaza were closed, as were two branches in Jabalia and Nuseirat. The society’s offices in Gaza and Nuseirat contain kindergartens, these were also closed. The children and families using these kindergartens have been left without provision.

– Islamic Society Club, a sports club based in Gaza, chaired by Sheikh Ismail Haniyeh, and part of the Islamic society (above). The volleyball team is one of the leading teams in Palestine and has won numerous trophies, including the championship cup.

– Islamic Complex (Al Mujama Al Islami), Religious, cultural, and educational services are provided. In particular, kindergartens for children, skills training for women and a sports club. Prior to the closure the security forces searched the premises and confiscated computer diskettes. The Khan Younis Branch was also closed.

– Young Women’s Muslim Association, It is a social and education organisation for a groups of people that severely requires these facilities. The organisation organises summer camps for children, provides health education and advice, skills training on information technology and traditional skills, such as handiwork for women. The main office in Gaza and the branch in Khan Younis were closed.

– The Holy Land Society, Charitable society based in Gaza, providing alms and welfare assistance to the poor, for example, they provide school uniforms and bags for children in need and during the Al E’id feast they give to the needy.

– As Salah Society, a charitable organisation providing food aid to families in severe need. It is based in Gaza and has branches in Rafah, Khan Younis, Deir el Bereh, Boureij, Mougazi. It is headed by Ahmed Al Kurd. The main office and all five branches were closed.

– Azzakar Committee (Alms Giving Institution), concerned with the allocation of Zakah (alms that Muslims are obliged to give as part of their Islamic duties). The main office in Gaza was closed and its two offices in Rafah and Khan Younis.

– Al Aqsa Health Clinic, An institution providing health advice and services in Beni Sehalah near Khan Younis.

– Palestinian Karate School, Private sports club, owned by Bassam Asseyfi in Gaza City.

– The Centre for Science and Culture, directed Dr Abdur Rahman Al Jamal located in Nuseirat. The centre provides culturaland educational services and its building houses a library.

Previously, on 4 September Al Rasala Weekly Newspaper was closed owned by the Islamic Salvation Party (Al Khalas Party). On that same day the headquarters for the Islamic bloc student union.