Statements and Positions
ICHR condemns the attack on participants in the peaceful assembly in downtown Ramallah

الهيئــة المستقلــة لحقــوق الإنســـان

"ديوان المظالم"- فلسطين

The Independent Commission for Human Rights

 

 

 

 

13 June2018

15/2018

 

ICHR condemns the attack on participants in the peaceful assembly in downtown Ramallah and calls for holding officials who issued the orders to account

 

The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) condemnsthe excessive use of force by security personnel against demonstrators who participated in a peaceful assembly on Wednesday evening, 13 June 2018. Demonstrators demanded that sanctions and actions taken against the Gaza Strip be suspended.

According to documentation of the ICHR’sfield staff, security agencies attacked violently and without warning peaceful demonstrators, who gathered in downtown Ramallah. In the course of dispersing the demonstration, security personnel used batons, fired tear gas grenades and sound bombs, and assaulted participants. Moreover, security personnel violently kicked and beat demonstrators on various parts of their bodies. A number of the demonstrators were dragged along the street and detained.

ICHR also documented the engagement of a large number of individuals in plainclotheswho attacked demonstrators, including women. Although they were not members of security agencies, these individuals also assaulted and prevented journalists from carrying out media work in plain view of the Police and security agencies. As a result of the violent response by security personnel, a number of demonstrators were injured and some of them were transported to hospital for medical attention.

Beforehand, a decision had been made by the Advisor to the President for Governorates Affairs, prohibiting the organisation of peaceful assemblies during Eid al-Fitr period. According to the ICHR, this decision is in conflict with the Basic Law and Law on Public Meetings. The latter does not require that demonstrators receive a licence from any authority, but only submit a written notice. The fact that any assembly is considered illegal does not in any way justify a similarincident of excessive use of force and assault on demonstrators.

Against this background,

  1. ICHR calls for immediate release of all detained demonstrators, suspension of any prosecutions against them, and respect for citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and right to freedom of opinion and expression.
  2. ICHR calls upon holding the officials who issued orders to oppressthe demonstrators accountable, particularly those who gave instructions for engaging individuals in plainclothes.
  3. ICHR considersthe engagement of persons, who were neither members of security agencies nor vested with judicial powers in the persecution of the peaceful assembly, a dangerous precedent and puts civil peace at risk. ICHR calls upon the Public Prosecution to open an investigation regarding this incident.
  4. ICHR confirms its position that actions against the Gaza Strip, particularly salary cuts targeting civil servants, are unlawful. In accordance with the resolutions of the Palestinian National Council, ICHR demands that these measures be suspended and salaries be repaid retroactively.
  5. ICHR calls for launching a comprehensive national dialogue as soon as possible to discuss the difficult and intricate internal and external conditions in Palestine; and for prevailing wisdom and national interest over the language of incitement and treason.

 

Ends