MER
- Washington - 10 February, 1998:
Continuing to work at the behest of the U.S. and Israel -- the countries
that supply the funding and the arms for the "Palestinian Authority" --
major new restrictions have just been imposed on the Palestinian population.
As the Palestinian people are rounded up onto "autonomous" reservations
-- similar to what was done to the American Indians and to South African
Blacks in the days of apartheid and Bantustans -- now even their right
to protest is being restricted through police-state measures.
This
latest step has been taken in anticipation of the new American/Israeli
war to further destroy Iraq; and the considerable Palestinian protests
that are expected. It is also taken to prevent a new "intifada" against
the double occupation now imposed on the Palestinian people by both the
PA and Israel. Conditions for Palkestinans are considerabley worse
today in 1998 then they were before the "Peace Process" began after the
Gulf War of 1991.
This report just received from one of the few remaining Palestinian human
rights groups.
10 February 1998:
LAW expresses its grave concern over the order issued by PNA Civilian Chief
Police Officer, Ghazi Jabali, preventing all demonstrations or protests
because of the possibility of violent confrontation. The
order
states that flag-burning is inflammatory and leads to tension in the region.
This order undermines the right to peaceful assembly and the right to expression,
principles set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Palestinian Police Chief issued this order following generally peaceful demonstrations organised in protest to US military preparations to attack Iraq. Protestors have also criticised the US's double standards - requiring compliance to UN resolutions from Iraq but permitting Israel to defy international law and the Oslo accords. Mr. Jabali stated that these demonstrations might lead to further violence and destabilise the region.
The Police Chief's order comes in the wake of statements from Israeli officials warning the PNA not to support Iraq. Israeli officials have indicated that such a position will impede progress in the peace process.
LAW considers this order as a possible pretext for permanently depriving Palestinians of the right to peaceful assembly, particularly as this order follows a similar decision from Mr. Jabali to restrict this right. On 9 September 1994, Mr. Jabali issued an order requiring prior police permission for meetings or other assemblies. A further order was issued requiring bus companies to obtain permission to carry individuals with political party affiliations.
In giving these orders Palestinian Police Chief Jabali claimed to rely on the British Mandate Palestinian Police Law of 1926. However, this law does not prohibit assemblies but requires permission for assemblies from the district court.
LAW believes that the Palestinian National Authority has a legal obligation
to uphold human rights. Indeed, in July 1994, Chairman Arafat confirmed
the Palestinian National Authority's commitment to
human
rights standards at a meeting with Amnesty International.
However, this order is in violation of the Article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that: "Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association."
This also violates the Jordanian Law of Assembly Number 60 1963 which permits the holding of assemblies on condition that 24 hours notice is given. Moreover, Article 26 of the Draft Basic Law also upholds the right to peaceful assembly. The Basic Law is the draft Palestinian constitution passed by the Legislative Council but not yet confirmed in law.
LAW demands the immediate abolition of this order.