The Palestinian Basic Law

The PCHR condemns mass arrests by Hamas supporters in the West Bank and Fatah supporters in Gaza respectively. In a press release Sunday, the PCHR expresses concern “that these arrests are an act of reprisal in response to arrest campaigns  as well as raids and closure of dozens of Fatah-affiliated NGO’s and sports clubs in the Gaza Strip”.

Read: PCHR, “PCHR Condemns Arrest Campaign against Hamas Supporters in the West Bank,” press release, ref: 67/2008, 27 July 2008, http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/70-2008.html.

The mass arrests were also condemned by the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights.
Read: Al-Mezan, “Over 122 Institutions, Offices Are Targeted by Security in Gaza: Al Mezan Condemns Illegal Mass Arrests and Raids on Institutions,” press release, ref: 70-2008, 27 July 2008, http://www.mezan.org/site_en/press_room/press_detail.php?id=864.

Read: Reuters Alertnet, “Fatah-Hamas tensions surge after Gaza bombings,” 27 July 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L7415068.htm. 

Read: Reuters Alertnet, “Abbas condemns Gaza violence, favours dialogue,” 27 July 2008, http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L7434281.htm. 

In a press release Saturday, the PCHR condemned the mass arrests conducted by the de facto cabinet in Gaza after the Friday bombings in the Gaza Strip. PCHR points out that citizens have the right to form associations under the Palestinian Basic Law and that the closures represent “a flagrant violation against civil society”.

Read: Reuters Alertnet, “Hamas arrest 120 Fatah men after 6 die in Gaza blast,” 26. July 2008,  http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L6294791.htm

Read: Maan News, “PCHR condemns Gaza City bombing and de facto government response,” 26 July 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=30837.

Read: PCHR, “PCHR Condemns Gaza Beach Crime and the Response of the Government,” press release, ref: 66/2008, 26 July 2008, http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/69-2008.html

The de facto cabinet has implied that Fatah and the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah may have been behind the explosions. The cabinet has also accused accused Fatah-affiliated media outlets of “celebrating Friday’s explosions.”

Read: Maan News, “De facto government instructs security services to find those responsible for Friday bombing,” 26 July 2008, http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=30835.