Gaza Human Rights Organizations Condemn Violence between Fatah Supporters and Palestinian Police in the Gaza Strip

Seven Killed and Dozens Injured in the Gaza Strip
Gaza Human Rights Organizations Condemn Violence between Fatah Supporters and Palestinian Police in the Gaza Strip

The undersigned human rights organizations strongly condemn the bloody events in several areas across the Gaza Strip over the past few days. These events were motivated by the Palestinian police ban and crackdown on celebrations of the anniversary of the establishment of the Fatah movement. The ensuing violence resulted in seven people being killed, and dozens more injured. Violence erupted after the Government in Gaza banned celebrations to mark the January 1^st anniversary of the establishment of the Fatah movement, in what appears to have been a response to the ban imposed by the Government in Ramallah on Hamas marking the December 14^th anniversary of the establishment of Hamas in the West Bank. In the lead up to the Fatah anniversary, police and Hamas gunmen in Gaza launched a campaign of arrests against Fatah activists, searched Fatah offices and the homes of people affiliated with Fatah. In addition, they removed Fatah banners from rooftops and public areas.

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We, the undersigned human rights organizations, regard these events as extremely serious, and:

1. Call for an immediate investigation into the events, and full prosecution of the perpetrators.
2. View the involvement of masked gunmen in civilian clothes in the clashes as a continuation of the security chaos and violation of the rule of law, in Gaza, and remind all parties that only the civilian police are charged with law enforcement.
3. Strongly condemn the assault on Mr. Ibrahim Abu El-Naja, and call for a full investigation into the assault, and full prosecution of the perpetrators.
4. Strongly condemn the ban on holding celebrations to mark the anniversaries of the establishment of Fatah and Hamas in Gaza and the West Bank, and affirm the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly that are enshrined and protected by law.
5. Express concern over the escalation of human rights violations by the governments in Gaza and Ramallah and the security forces loyal to each.

Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights

Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights