30/05/2010
11/2010

Statement

The Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights condemns the hindering of both its office manager and field researcher in the Nablus District by officers from the General Intelligence agency.

This act took place on Sunday 30/5/2010 while ICHR staff was visiting Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) members of the Reform and Change bloc at their office in the Al Bayan building in Nablus city. Both members of the staff were intercepted by officers of the General Intelligence at the building’s entrance and were asked about the reason for their visit, as well as their identity cards. 

Despite their objections and their attempts to clarify that this action violates the law, the ICHR staff members were not allowed to enter the building before calling officers from the General Intelligence agency.

It is noteworthy to mention here that PLC members of the Reform and Change bloc in Nablus have addressed ICHR and informed them of the harassments that they face in this regard. Based on that, the governor of the Nablus District was contacted who, in turn, condemned the acts and promised to resolve them.

However, it has not been solved and the reason for ICHR‘s visit to the parliamentarians was to verify their claims.

Therefore, ICHR confirms the following:

1. It is necessary for the Palestinian National Authority to provide PLC members with protection whether for their personal safety or their property. It should also facilitate their communication with citizens without any disturbance as per the immunity that they have. 
2. It is necessary for competent parties to take the required procedures to bring the harassments which PLC members face to an end.
3. It is necessary not to encounter ICHR staff while performing their duties of monitoring and documenting human rights in the Palestinian-controlled Territory. 

End