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| PCHR Palestinian Centre for Human Rights PRESS RELEASE |
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Ref: 65/2005
Date: 31 May 2005
Press Release: PCHR Strongly Condemns an Attack on the Offices of a Palestinian Association in Khan Yunis
PCHR is gravely concerned about an armed attack on the offices of Culture and Free Thought Association in Khan Yunis where a number of unknown persons damaged and set fire to the premises early this morning. PCHR is concerned that this attack might be related to cultural and social activities conducted by the Association for children and youths.
According to preliminary investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 01:45 on Tuesday, 31 May 2005, three masked and armed persons broke into the offices of Culture and Free Thought Association in al-Amal neighborhood in Khan Yunis. They detained the night guard in the guardroom under duress and proceeded to break windows of the centres of Future Constructors and Association of Children Culture and set fire to them. The administration and computer division was totally burnt and other parts of the centres were severely damaged before the armed persons withdrew from the area. Firefighting crews were called and they were able to extinguish fire but not before extensive damage to the Association’s premises.
It is notable that an unknown group calling themselves the “Echo of Muslim Voices” issued a leaflet a few days prior to the attack strongly criticizing the Association and its administration following a conference organized by the Association on 3 May 2005 called “Echo of Bold Voices.” A number of educational experts and teachers of the Directorate of Education and hundreds of preparatory school students in Rafah and Khan Yunis participated in the Conference.
PCHR reiterates its condemnation of this attack and calls upon the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney General, to investigate the incident and bring those who are involved to justice.
PCHR also expresses solidarity with Culture and Free Thought Association and hopes it will continue its activities as a pioneering civil society organization that provides cultural and social services to Palestinians, especially to youths.
For more information please PCHR’s Office in Gaza City: +972 8 2824776 – 2825893.*
*Office Hours are between 08:00 – 16:00 hours (05:00 GMT – 13:00 GMT) Sun. – Thurs.
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Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
29 Omer El Mukhtar St., El Remal, PO Box 1328 Gaza, Gaza Strip tel/fax: +972 (0)8 282 4776 – 282 5893
email: pchr@pchrgaza.org website: www.pchrgaza.org
