Ref: 138/2007
Date: 16 October 2007
Time: 12:00 GMT
PCHR Condemns Storming the Compound of Courts in Gaza and Calls for Investigation
PCHR strongly condemns storming the compound of courts in Gaza City by unknown individuals during the holiday of the Eid al-Futr, and calls upon the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to investigate this attack, bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure protection for courts.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, the storm against the compound of courts was discovered at the end of the holiday of the Eid al-Futr on Tuesday morning, 16 October 2007. It was clear that the assailants broke into the building of the court of initial proceedings and appeals after they had broken the windows and doors. They checked files. The assailants’ identities and motives are not clear.
It is worth noting that the compound of courts had been guarded by the Executive Force since the middles of June 2007, as the police have abstained from assuming their jobs in response to instructions by the chief of police in Ramallah, following Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip. The situation remained as so until late September, when the Executive Force left the compound in light of the restructure of the judicial authority and the incorporation of the Executive Force into the police. Since that time, no protection has been provided to the compound of courts.
The Higher Judiciary Council has established an internal inquiry commission to investigate the attack and its motives. It has also suspended work on Tuesday.
PCHR strongly condemns this attack, and:
1) Calls upon the PNA to investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.
2) Calls upon the PNA to assume its responsibility to protect public institutions, especially the compound of courts to maintain the dignity and independence of the judiciary.
3) Warns of the repercussions of such attacks, which are part of the state of security chaos and lawlessness.
4) Stresses that the Palestinian judiciary is for the Palestinian people and all segments of the people should protect it.
