Ref: 42/2014
Date: 16 April 2014
Time: 12:30 GMT

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) denounces imposing permits by the General Police Command prior to holding private meetings like seminars and workshops, as verbal instructions in this regard were received by a number of restaurants and hotels in Gaza City in the past few days. PCHR calls upon the government in Gaza to take clear decisions in regards to respect for the right to freedom of private and public peaceful assemblies which are ensured under the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights standards.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, on Sunday morning, 13 April 2014, Police General Investigation officers visited a number of restaurants and hotels in Gaza City and informed their managers that it is important for institutions and associations to obtain permits in advance from the General Police Administration before organizing seminars or workshops in such places. In the same context, Mr. Salah Abu Hasira, Chairman of the Palestinian Commission for Restaurants and Hotels, said to a PCHR fieldworker that he received a call on Thursday, 10 April 2014, from the Director of Security and Protection Service at the Ministry of Interior, informing him that it is necessary for institutions and associations to obtain prior permits from the General Police Command before organizing any activities in restaurants or hotels.

In light of the above, PCHR stresses that:

1. The right to hold private peaceful assemblies in closed places, such as seminars, workshops and celebrations, do not fall within the scope of application of the Public Meetings Law 12/1998, so organizers of such meetings are no required to notify the Palestinian police or governors according to the law;
2. The Palestinian Basic Law guarantees the right to hold private meetings without the intervention of the Palestinian police according to article (26-5) which stipulates: “Palestinians… shall have the following rights in particular: …. To conduct private meetings without the presence of police members, and to conduct public meetings, gatherings and processions, within the limits of the law;”
3. The Public Meeting Law stipulated that organizers of public meetings should notify the Palestinian police or governor about holding meetings 48 hours before they start, but does not include any kinds of permits; and
4. According to the abovementioned Law, a public meeting that requires notifying the police is that: “Each public meeting to which at least 50 persons are invited in a public and open place, including public areas, parks and playgrounds… etc.”

Therefore, PCHR:

1. Calls upon the government in Gaza to take the necessary measures to respect the civilians’ right to hold public and private peaceful assemblies which are guaranteed under the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights standards; and
2. Calls upon security services to respect the right to freedom of holding public and private peaceful assemblies that are guaranteed under the relevant international standards.