Ref: 23/2013
Date: 28 February 2013
Time: 13:00 GMT

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is gravely concerned about new procedures announced by the Ministry of Interior Affairs yesterday, requiring individuals to obtain prior approval for they will be permitted to travel via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing. PCHR calls upon the Ministry to respect public freedoms and discontinue the use of this procedure, which restricts the right to freedom of movement, which is protected by the constitution and by international human rights standards.

On Wednesday, 27 February 2013, the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs issued a decision obliging civilians wishing to travel via Beit Hanoun crossing to refer to the Ministry to acquire necessary approval. According to a statement by the Ministry, this decision is applicable to individuals wishing to visit family in the West Bank and Israel, those to Jordan or through Israeli airports, and students wishing to study abroad who need to attend interviews with consulates.

This decision increases the suffering of the already limited groups of people who are permitted to travel via the crossing by the Israeli forces. Freedom of movement is already severely restricted by Israel; travellers have to wait many hours before being allowed to pass through the crossing and they are subjected to humiliating treatment. Additionally, most individuals are only informed of the Israeli authorities’ decision to grant them travel permits a few hours prior to their departure. This makes it impossible for them to refer to the Ministry of Interior to obtain prior approval for their travel. The travel permits issued by Israel are often limited to one day.

PCHR express its concern about the unacceptable new restrictions on the freedom of movement of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, in addition to the restrictions already imposed on them by the Israeli authorities, and emphasizes the right of every Palestinian to travel to and out of the Gaza Strip. PCHR calls upon the government in Gaza to cancel these procedures, to allow civilians to move and travel easily, and to respect the constitutionally-protected right to freedom of movement, in accordance with international human rights standards.