Ref: 89/2007
Date: 13 August 2007
Time: 13:45 GMT
PCHR Condemns the Breakup of a Peaceful Rally and Attack on Journalists by the Executive Force in Gaza
PCHR strongly condemns the breakup by the Executive Force of a peaceful rally organized by several PLO factions in Gaza City this morning. The Centre also calls for investigating the attack on several journalists, and the raid on the office of Al-Arabiya Satellite Station. The Centre stresses that these attacks are a flagrant violation of the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression that are protected by the Basic Law.
The Center’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 11:00 on Monday, 13 August 2007, tens of members of the Executive Force deployed around the “Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Palestinian Legislative Council building. They prevented dozens of civilians from reaching the area to attend a rally organized by several PLO factions to protest the attacks of the Executive Force in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the Force prevented journalists from covering the rally, and confiscated the camera of Ahmad El-Ras, cameraman for Ramattan News Agency, and detained him in one of their vehicles. The Force members used sticks to disperse the demonstrators.
Ahmad El-Ras gave the following statement to PCHR’s fieldworker:
“At approximately 10:30, two colleagues and I went to cover the rally in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier area. When I disembarked from the agency vehicle carrying a camera, 2 members of the Executive Force raised their weapons at me; and one of them said to me, “If you take photage, we’ll put an end to you.” I answered them that I have not taken any photage; and I went back to the car to leave the area. Then, two Executive Force vehicles intercepted us. Force members took me and put me in one of their vehicles. They confiscated my camera. Several journalists gathered around the vehicle in which I was detained. They talked to the Force members. The latter stated that they would release me only if the camera tape is confiscated. And this happened.”
At approximately 11:35, two Executive Force gunmen raided the offices of Al-Arabiya and MBC satellite stations in the 12th floor of Al-Shoroq building in Gaza City. They confiscated the camera and rally photage belonging to Al-Arabiya. Reem Abd El-Karim, the director of the offices, informed PCHR’s fieldworker that the Executive Force gunmen raided the office and requested the rally photage. A verbal exchange took place when she refused to hand over the materials. However, the Executive Force took the camera and photage by force. The Executive Force returned the confiscated equipment to Al-Arabiya at approximately 15:30.
It is noted that the Executive Force web site posted a statement by its spokesman, Saber Khalifa, banning any demonstration without official permission from the Force. PCHR condemned the decision, which is a violation of freedom of general assembly. The Centre demanded that the force rescind the decision.
PCHR strongly condemns this attack, and:
– Affirms that the right to peaceful assembly, including the organization of demonstrations, is protected by the Basic Law and by the General Assemblies Law #12 for the Year 1998, conditional to the peaceful nature of the demonstrations and assemblies.
– Calls for investigating the attack on journalists and raid on Al-Arabiya office, preventing them from conducting their professional duty; and calls for prosecuting the perpetrators of these attacks.
– Affirms the need to provide protection to journalists, to take steps that ensure their freedom in conducting their work; and affirms the need to protect freedom of expression and journalism freedom.
