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Ref: 125/2005

Date: 14 October 2005

Time:  12:00 GMT

PCHR Condemns the Attack on Al’Azhar University in Gaza

A group of people, including students and graduates, broke into the Board meeting of Al-Azhar University. They assaulted the University President, Dr. Adnan El’Khaldi, Deans, Board members, and University staff. They destroyed office furniture and forced the University President and Board off campus.

PCHR investigations indicate that at 10:45 on Tuesday 11 October 2005 during the weekly meeting of Al’Azhar University Board a group of 50 students broke into the meeting room. They beat the convening Board members, destroyed furniture, and forced the members and University President off campus in front of students.

PCHR’s fieldworker reported that many of the assailants were from outside the University; and that some of them were members of security branches.

The attack took place following a notice issued by the Student Affairs Dean to a male student warning him against being in places allocated to female students. The student refused to heed the warning and follow University regulations. In addition, he threatened to kill the Dean.

Shortly before attacking the Board meeting, 3 assailants demanded from the University President not to dismiss a fellow student. The President refused the demand and stated that dealing with the student in question will be according to regulations.

The University Board announced the suspension of work on Wednesday 12 October 2005, which is followed by the 2-day weekend. However, it is not expected for the University to reopen to students on Saturday 15 October 2005 in light of the call by the University Workers Union to go on strike because of the attack.

According to the University President, the Board met after the attack to study the situation. It took a number of decisions to punish the students and graduates who participated in the attack. In addition, the Board decided to take the case to the Attorney-General’s office in order to take all necessary action against the assailants, bring them to justice, and enforce the rule of law. 

PCHR learned that the University Board decided to dismiss 11 students and revoke the graduation certificates of graduates who took part in the attack. The names of assailants from outside the University were handed to the Attorney-General’s office to take legal action against them.

PCHR strongly condemns this attack, and:

• Views this attack as an unprecedented incident, which is part of a chain of crises and problems engulfing Al’Azhar University. It is part of the overall deterioration in the Gaza Strip highlighted the increasing attacks on the rule of law, and the continuing security chaos;

• Calls upon the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice;

• Points with great concern to the continuing interference of security branches in the University’s work, which undermines its status and work as an academic institution. The Centre calls upon these security branches to lift their “guardianship” over the University;

• Calls upon the administration of Al’Azhar University to uphold the law in its work and punishment procedures regarding students and graduates who were proven to have participated in the attack.

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Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

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