Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO) condemns in the strongest terms the repressive measures employed by the ruling authorities both in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip against the peaceful protesters, who were protesting the Palestinian Authority sanctions against the Gaza Strip and calling to defend rights of prisoners and ending the internal division.
PNGO considers the attacks as a flagrant violation of the human rights, particularly the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to peaceful assembly.
The Palestinian NGOs Network states that the repression of peaceful protests constitutes a violation of the Palestinian Authority's obligations under international treaties, particularly the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
PNGO refers to the most influential issue of the internal division which is the transformation of authorities into centralized authorities that weren't based upon representative institutions, participation and accountability mechanisms, which consequently maintained power through ramping up punitive measures which threaten democracy, participation, respecting the opinions of others and pluralism.
PNGO states that these practices constitute a violation to the human rights principles and a violation to the Palestinian Basic Law which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly.
It also states that bringing the repression perpetrators and decision makers into accountable is a key part to improve the current situation, which has been severely damaged by the internal division.
PNGO stresses the need to stop the hatred media campaigns and incitement and calls for lifting sanctions imposed on the Gaza Strip immediately and implement national reconciliation agreements on the basis of partnership, democracy and respect for pluralism as a single outlet to maintain and empower the unity of the political and social fabric to contribute to strengthening the elements of steadfastness and thwart all the plans to liquidate the Palestinian cause.
