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Press Release 9 October 2001 |
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Two Killed by Palestinian Police During Protests in Gaza |
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Yesterday morning a group of demonstrators gathered at the Islamic
University in Gaza and marched peacefully to the Palestinian Legislative
Council to protest the attacks Sunday against Afghanistan. Upon
leaving the university campus the demonstrators marched approximately 200
meters before the police attempted to turn the demonstrators back. The
demonstrators began to retreat, only to run into another protest march
coming from the neighboring al-Azhar University. In the resulting
confusion some of the demonstrators refused to turn around, and scuffles,
which included stone throwing by demonstrators, broke out. The Police
responded by firing teargas into the crowd and by opening fire using live
ammunition into the air and directly into the crowd. Two young men
were killed immediately after the police opened fire, and another individual
was shot in the head and has been declared clinically dead. Throughout the
rest of the afternoon an additional 14 people were injured by live gunfire.
Many other injuries from beatings and teargas inhalation were reported.
Palestinian police officials have reported that their men only opened fire
after masked men inside the university first fired at them, injuring a
number of police officers. However, at this time al-Haq has not been
able to confirm these reports, and is currently unaware of any documented
cases of policemen injured by gunfire. Reports received by al-Haq also
indicate that reporters at the scene were attacked and beaten by members of
the Palestinian police forces. Following the attacks, protests against the police erupted in Gaza City and Khan Younis Refugee Camp. In Gaza City crowds attacked and destroyed several police stations, and in Khan Younis demonstrators also marched through the streets and attacked a police station. Another 12 people were injured, 4 by gunfire, during the Khan Younis protests. Al-Haq condemns the Palestinian police’s excessive use of force yesterday. Prior to police intervention the demonstrations had remained peaceful. Even after clashes broke out, according to information received by al-Haq, the threat posed to the police officers present did not justify the force used. None of the demonstrators who were killed or injured by police fire were armed. The use of indiscriminate fire and the beating of protestors and journalists are inexcusable. Al-Haq also protests the police’s suppression of the basic rights to free expression and free assembly as laid out in the Palestinian Law, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant of Civil, Policital and Cultural Rights. Prior to the demonstration, orders had been given to stop any protests against the attacks on Afghanistan. The police have stated that the demonstration was illegal, and that it was for this reason that the protesters were turned back. However, it should be noted that protests have been held throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territories on an almost daily basis for the last year. Many of these demonstrations are spontaneous, and almost none of them are prearranged with the Police. To suddenly decide that permission is required for a protest, and to forbid all protests on a particular issue because the protests are not in line with the views of the authority is unacceptable. The Palestinian National Authority must ensure that all people are guaranteed their right to speak, even if the opinions they voice are unpopular or contradict the Authority. Free expression and the right to dissent are basic rights that are central to the development of a free, transparent and democratic civil society in Palestine. Additionally, the Palestinian National Authority must work to ensure that all Palestinians are guaranteed the right to assemble peacefully without restriction or interference. Finally, al-Haq condemns the riots and attacks upon police stations yesterday afternoon. A vigilante response to acts of abuse by the authorities is never legitimate, and goes against the rule of law. Procedures for recourse through the courts and through the law have been set up to address abuses of power, and the Palestinian people must work to ensure that these paths are used. An investigative committee has already been set up to look into this case, and it is through such bodies that justice must be sought. Al-Haq in turn requests that the PNA ensure that the investigate committee completes its job. Previous committees set up to investigate similar incidents have failed to take action against those guilty of abuse. This committee must therefore be independent, its findings must be made public and the authorities must take action based on its findings and recommendations, including placing cases before the public attorney’s office. In the coming weeks the public and the PNA must work together to ensure that justice is done and rights are protected. |
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