Statement

Security agencies of the Deposed Government in the Gaza Strip have prevented a delegation of the General Union of Palestinian Women (GUPW) from travelling to the city of Ramallah to take part in a GUPW Conference, which was scheduled to be held on Thursday, 21 May 2009. 

According to information reported to the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR), at 10:00 am on Wednesday, 20 May 2009, security officers positioned at a police checkpoint prevented the delegation of 58 participants from accessing the Beit Hanun (Erez) Crossing, detained their ID cards, and searched their luggage. Without any justifications, security officers notified the GUPW delegation that they were prohibited from travelling to the city of Ramallah. In response, the participants held a sit-in demonstration near the police checkpoint and demanded that they be allowed access. Protestors also requested that seized belongings be returned to them. 

ICHR denounces the prevention of the GUPW delegation from travelling to Ramallah, as such a practice breaches the right to free travel and movement which is safeguarded by the Palestinian Basic Law as well as by relevant international human rights conventions. ICHR also insists that no citizen may be denied this right except under a judicial ruling. 
Therefore ICHR demands that the Ministry of Interior of the Deposed Government in the Gaza Strip abandon such measures as it gravely violates fundamental human rights. Furthermore, ICHR insists that expedient measures be taken to safeguard citizens’ right to free travel and movement.