OPT: New report documents abuses against civil society organizations in the Gaza Strip and West Bank
The Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights and Al-Haq have recently published a report which documents attacks on human rights defenders and civil society organisations in the context of the struggle for power between Fateh and Hamas in which abuses have been committed by both sides.
Further information
Recentlly, the continued deterioration of internal security and escalation of the conflict for power between Fateh and Hamas led to a wide-spread and comprehensive attack, launched by the Al-Qassam Brigades [the military wing of Hamas], against the offices of the security forces belonging to the PNA, and institutions affiliated or closely related to Fateh, in the Gaza Strip. The attacks began on Tuesday 12 June 2007 at 11:20am when the Al-Qassam Brigades besieged the headquarters of the first and second brigades of the National Security forces, previously the offices of the [Israeli] civil administration, in the east of Jabalia camp. The attacks ended in the evening of Thursday 14 June 2007 with Hamas taking control of the positions and headquarters of the security forces and the President's office. During and after the confrontations, the offices of civil society organisations, popular and trade unions and some women’s organisations working in Gaza Strip were targeted. The damages ranged from looting of furniture and other assets, including papers and official documents and burning the organisation’s premises, through to taking control of the organisations and attempting to impose new criteria on their work. These actions not only took place in the Gaza Strip but rapidly extended to the West Bank. Members of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades [an armed group affiliated to Fateh] and Fateh activists attacked civil society organisations and offices belonging to Hamas, close to it, or supervised by people close to Hamas, resulting in damage to these organizations and their assets.
Link here to the Al- Mezan web site and download the full report.http://www.mezan.org/site_en/resource_center/mezan_publications/detail.php?id=163