Ref: 66/2011

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns denial of
travel of 3 Palestinians through Rafah International Crossing Point by the
Internal Security Service (ISS) on Saturday, 16 July 2011. The three Palestinians were part of a delegation
heading to Turkey. PCHR calls upon the
government in Gaza to stop measures that restrict the freedom of movement of
persons, which is ensured under the Palestinian Basic Law and international
human rights standards.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately
12:00 on Saturday, 16 July 2011, a delegation from Palestinian political factions
and social activists headed to Rafah International Crossing Point on the
Egyptian border in the southern Gaza Strip to travel to Egypt and then to
Turkey to participate in a workshop on the promotion of the Palestinian
reconciliation. Officials at the crossing
received members of the delegation in the VIP lounge and took their passports
to complete the procedures for their travel. Nevertheless, ISS officers at the crossing point informed 3 members of
the delegation that they were banned from traveling: Dr. Ussama al-Farra,
Member of the Revolutionary Council of Fatah Movement; Samah Ahmed al-Rawagh, a
journalist and social activist; and Eyad al-Krunz, a social activist. Dr. al-Farra stated to PCHR that Dr. Ghazi
Hamad and Dr. Ahmed Yousef, officials in the Gaza government and members of the
delegation, intervened to get the permission for three members to travel, but
their attempt failed. 

It is worth noting that on 26 June 2011 Palestinian police officers
stationed near Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in the far north of the Gaza Strip also
prevented Ms. Amal Ahmed Hamad, Member of the Revolutionary Council of Fatah
Movement, from traveling to Ramallah to participate in meetings of the
Council. 

PCHR strongly condemns measures taken by Palestinian security
services in Gaza to restrict the movement of persons. PCHR calls upon the government in Gaza to
stop such measures and to respect the right to freedom of movement, which is
ensured under the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights
standards.