GAZA, August 12, 2010 (WAFA)- Al Mezan Center for Human Rights regreted the high number of victims injured as Hamas forcefully oppresses peaceful protest organized by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Al Mezan condemned the excessive use of in disbanding the peaceful protest; especially as its organizers had followed the applicable legal procedures.
At approximately 8am on Tuesday 10 August 2010, Hamas dispersed a peaceful protest organized by the (PFLP). The event took place in the Unknown Soldier Square, opposite the Palestinian Legislative Council in the Al Remal neighborhood in Gaza City. The protest was organized against the electricity cut-offs crisis in Gaza Strip.
According to participants and eyewitnesses, the police assaulted protesters by cudgels and the backs of rifles and abused them. The PFLP had announced its intent to organize the protest against the continued electricity cut-offs in the Gaza Strip. It distributed invitations widely, calling people to take part in the event which aimed to show protest against the acute humanitarian suffering that aroused by the electricity crisis, and the role of the Palestinian internal split creating this situation.
According to Al Mezan's field investigations, 21 participants were injured, 17 of whom were admitted at Kamal Odwan Hospital in North Gaza district to receive medical treatment. Their injuries ranged between light and moderate. The police arrested four PFLP activists and released them later on the same day.
According to Al Mezan's field investigations, the PFLP had sent a written notice to the Hamas police director a week prior the event. In the notice, the PFLP informed that it would organize a popular protest at 8pm on Tuesday 10 August 2010. The PFLP did not receive any response. A few hours before the event started, the PFLP was informed that they were denied permission to carry out the event. PFLP members said to Al Mezan that they had received text messages on their mobiles threatening them from proceeding with organizing the event, and that they would be held responsible for the consequences if they did not cancel it.
Al Mezan asserts that the Palestinian Public Meetings Law No. 12 of 1998 provides protections and safeguards that guarantee citizens' right to organize public meetings without conditioning them on obtaining prior license from the authorities. The only procedure required by the law when a public meeting is organized is limited to informing - in writing – the Governor or the Chief of the Police of the meeting at least 48 hours prior to implementing it. In case the organizers do not receive a response, also in writing, they automatically have the right to organize the meeting in the planned time and place.
