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Hamas and Human Rights

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Hamas Rule in Gaza: Human Rights under Constraint

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Abstract

This chapter argues that the parameters under which the Hamas authority has been operating in Gaza all interplayed to preclude a conducive environment for the rise of good governance in Gaza, while leaving the Hamas authority to an extent obliged to take certain action that has the effect of infringing upon human rights. Yet, the chapter notes, the Hamas authority has managed to take distinct benefit from these parameters, using them as a pretext under which the authority absolves itself from the responsibility of infringing upon human rights, while resting it on others. The chapter stresses that many human rights violations perpetrated by the Hamas authority were, however, unconnected to external pressure and appear to reflect a policy adopted by the Hamas authority.

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Notes

  1. Report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, 291.

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  2. Ibid., 423–24.

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  3. A/RES/64/10, Follow-up to the Report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict (December 1, 2009), available from http://unispal.un.org/ UNISPAL.NSF/0/9CC062414581D038852576C10055B066

  4. Ibid.

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  5. A/RES/64/254, Report of the Secretary-General. Follow-Up to the Report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict (February 4, 2010), 3, available from http://unispal.un.org/pdfs/A64651.pdf

  6. See A/RES/64/254, Second Follow-Up to the Report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict (March 25, 2010), available from http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/763D289FB7F2019B852576F20050496B

  7. See A/HRC/RES/13/9, Follow-up to the Report of the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict (April 14, 2010), available from http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/7D3F137E67D203AB85 25770D005B7996 [Emphasis added]

  8. See A/HRC/15/50, Report of the Committee of Independent Experts in International Humanitarian and Human Rights Laws to Monitor and Assess any Domestic, Legal or Other Proceedings Undertaken by Both the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Side, in the Light of General Assembly Resolution 64/254, Including the Independence, Effectiveness, Genuineness of these Investigations and their Conformity with International Standards (September 21, 2010), 4, 25, available from http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/ docs/15session/A.HRC.15.50.AEV.pdf

  9. Wilson, International Law, 160.

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  10. Irwin Cotler, Palestinian Undertakings to Respect Human Rights—Basic Sources, bi-monthly publication of the PHRMG (Jerusalem: PHRMG), available from http://www.phrmg.org/monitor1997/may97–1.htm

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  12. See UNESCO, Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat Pleads for Respect of Human Rights for Palestinians (Paris: UNESCO, October 23, 1997), available from http://www.unesco.org/bpi/eng/unescopress/97–182e.htm

  13. Amended Basic Law 2003, available from http://www.usaid.gov/wbg/misc/ Amended.Basic.Law.pdf

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  15. Ibid.

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  16. PM Haniyeh Speech before the PLC (March 17, 2007), available from http://etsuv.com/image/users/77951/ftp/my.files/updates.dec.2010/ announcments/PM%20Haniyeh%20speech%20before%20the%20PLC. pdf?id=7519298

  17. Ibid.

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  18. Report of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, 291.

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  19. “Zakat” means purity. It is a portion of one’s wealth that must be given to the poor or for other specific purposes.

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  20. See Emanuel Schäublin, The West Bank Zakat Committees (1977–2009) in the Local Context (Geneva: Centre on Conflict, Development and Rebuilding)9, available from http://www.charityandsecurity.org/system/files/ CCDP.Working.Paper.5.pdf

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  21. The Palestinian Information Center, Fayyad’s Government Dissolves Zakat Committees in WB, October 18, 2007, available from http:/en/default.aspx?xyz=U6Qq7k%2bcOd87MDI46m9rUxJEpMO %2bi1s71ZF2LmzUf0ShOBOApsxsnhlPjUjp1yiGpK4yWo53O2SHCI Wa4KFOMCAkVx18THekMva1S0wuSn3h0faOb8SxxHsgYQcM6zAERVDt KkzBo7U%3d

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  22. Amira Hiss, “Hamas Tightens Control on State Institutions in Gaza,” Haaretz, December 11, 2007, available from http://www.haaretz.com/news/hamastightens-control-on-state-institutions-in-gaza-1.234978

  23. PCHR, “Acting Justice Minister Unauthorized to Dismiss the Attorney-General,” press release, August 16, 2007, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?OPTion=com.content&view=article &id=732:acting-justice-minister-unauthorized-to-dismiss-the-attorneygeneral& catid=133:press-releases-from-other-years-05–08&Itemid=300.

  24. See PCHR, “Human Rights Organizations Condemn the Takeover of the Civilian Courts Compound,” press release, December 6, 2007, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?OPTion=com.content&vie w=article&id=819:human-rights-organizations-condemn-the-takeover-ofthe-civilian-courts-compound&catid=133:press-releases-from-other-years-05–08&Itemid=300

  25. See PCHR, Concern over Some Violations by Members of the Executive Force and Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions, Letter to His Excellency Ismaeil Haniyeh, September 13, 2007, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index. php?OPTion=com.content&view=article&id=3014:subject-concern-oversome-violations-by-members-of-the-executive-force-and-izzedeen-elqassam-battalions&catid=51:pchr-interventions&Itemid=196

  26. Ibid.

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  27. For an interesting study on the Salafigroups in Gaza, one may refer to International Crisis Group, Radical Islam in Gaza, Middle East Report No. 104 (March 29, 2011), available from http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/ Middle%20East%20North%20Africa/Israel%20Palestine/104–Radical%20 Islam%20in%20Gaza.pdf

  28. As Article 3 of the Hamas Charter (the Charter of Allah) promulgates. Hamas, The Charter of Allah [Emphasis added].

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  29. As Article 7 of the Charter of Allah promulgates. Ibid., [ Emphasis added].

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  30. Gaza-Based Ministry of the Interior, A Press Statement, July 27, 2008, available from http://www.moi.gov.ps/en/news/4710/A-press-statement-issued-bythe-Information-Office-of-the-Ministry-of-Interior-on-July-27–2008

  31. Gaza-Based Ministry of the Interior, The Ministry of Interior Assumes Complete Responsibility for Hilles Family Because they Refused to Deliver the Suspected People of the Last Explosion, July 31, 2008, available from http://www.moi.gov.ps/en/news/4711/The-Ministry-of-Interior-assumes-a-completeresponsibility-for-Hilles-family-because-they-refused-to-deliver-thesuspected-people-of-the-last-explosion

  32. See International Crisis Group, Round Two, 1–4.

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  33. See Ibid., p. 4, and also the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) Annual Report 2008, 52–53, available from http://www.ichr.ps/pdfs/ eAR14.pdf

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  34. International Crisis Group, Radical Islam in Gaza.

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  35. Saud Abu Ramadan, “Hamas Interior Ministry: Rafah Fighting Over, ‘Warriors of God” leader Killed’,” Xinhua, August 15, 2009, available from http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009–08/15/content.11887395.htm

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  36. “Haniyeh: We were Obliged to Act Against Jund Insar Allah,” Maan News Agency, August 15, 2009, available from http://www.maannews.net/eng/ ViewDetails.aspx?ID=219241

  37. PCHR, “PCHR Condemns Bloody Clashes in Rafah; 28 Persons Killed and at Least 100 Others Wounded,” press release, August 15, 2009, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?OPTion=com.content&view=article&id=1138:pchr-condemns-bloody-clashes-in-rafah-28-personskilled-and-at-least-100-others-wounded&catid=36:pchrpressreleases& Itemid=194

  38. PCHR, Annual Report 2009, 85, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/ Reports/English/pdf.annual/PCHR&%20Annual-Eng-09.pdf

  39. See HRW, “Under Cover of War: Hamas Political Violence in Gaza,” (April 2009), available from http://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/ iOPT0409web.pdf

  40. Ibid.

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  41. “Fatah, Hamas Trade Accusations,” The Electronic Intifada, February 2, 2009, available from http://electronicintifada.net/content/fatah-hamas-tradeaccusations/ 8038

  42. Quoted in Ibid.

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  43. “El Tarashoq Yatwasl wa 7amas Tathim Fati7 be El-Tajasos Le Sali7 Israel” (“The Trade of Accusations Continues and Hamas Accuses Fatah of Spying for Israel”), CNN, February 22, 2009, Arabic Internet Edition, available from http://arabic.cnn.com/2009/gaza.escalation/1/23/accusations.paletinians/ index.html ai]

  44. Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, 286–91.

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  45. By virtue of the Palestinian Basic Law, and the Codes of Criminal Procedure of 2001, the PA president is empowered with right to endorse any death penalty handed down by civil courts before implementation. Death sentences handed down by military courts should be approved by the commander in chief of the security forces, who is, in the Palestinian case, the PA president as well. Maan Shihda Ideis, Death Penalty in the Palestinian Legal System: A Legal Review, 7–11, available from http://www.ichr.ps/pdfs/Legal&%20 review&%20of&%20death&%20penalty&%20-&%20English.pdf.

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  46. No death sentence was handed down by Hamas courts in 2007. However, an estimated 7 sentences were handed down in 2008, and 14 in 2009. A further 12 were handed down in 2010, and 4 in the first half of 2011. These figures are from ICHR, Annual Report 2007, 107, Annual Report 2008, 58, and Annual Report 2009, 78, available from http://www.ichr.ps/etemplate.php?id=15, and from PCHR, Press Releases, December 8, 2010 and June 1, 2011, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?OPTion=com.content&view =category&id=36&Itemid=194

  47. ICHR, Annual Report 2008, 58.

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  48. ICHR, Annual Report 2009, 78, available from http://www.ichr.ps/pdfs/ ICHR&%20Report15&%20-&%20Final.pdf

  49. PCHR, “PCHR is Concerned over the Continued Application of the Death Penalty in the Gaza Strip and Calls upon Palestinian President not to Ratify Sentences,” press release, December 8, 2010, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?OPTion=com.content&view=article& id=7152:pchr-is-concerned-over-the-continued-application-of-the-deathpenalty-in-the-gaza-strip-and-calls-upon-palestinian-president-not-toratify-sentences-

  50. PCHR, “Gaza Military Court Sentences Man to Death,” press release, June 1, 2011, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index. php?OPTion=com.content&view=article&id=7486&%3Agaza-military-courtsentences-man-to-death&catid=62&%3Apchrdeathpenalty&Itemid=210

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  51. 51.In such a court there is no appeal to a higher court. The appeal of a sentence is permitted only to the head of the Military Judiciary. It should be noticed however that the appeal must be submitted within 15 days from the date of the sentence and must address the head of the Military Judiciary. The head of the Military Judiciary however, remains free to accept or to reject the appeal. Nothing obligates him to accept it. In other words the matter relies on his goodwill.

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  52. ICHR, Annual Report 2009, 79.

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  53. PCHR, Death Penalty under the Palestinian National Authority, position paper (October 2010), 3, available from http://pchrgaza.org/files/2010/deathpenalty&% 20–2010.pdf.

  54. Quoted in “Hamas Vows to Keep Executing ‘Collaborators’ in Gaza,” AFP, April 19, 2010, available from http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ article/ALeqM5jdp4SKrKXwKt5Hlvdf61rBi3AnMQ

  55. PCHR, Press Releases, April 15 and May 18, 2010, and May 4, 2011, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?option=com.content&v iew=category&id=36&Itemid=194&limitstart=285

  56. Ibid.

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  57. Ibid.

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  58. As quoted and slightly modified in PCHR, Death Penalty under the Palestinian National Authority, position paper (October 2010), 7, available from http://pchrgaza.org/files/2010/death-penalty&%20–2010.pdf

  59. Amended Basic Law 2003.

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  60. Quoted in Roee Nahmias, “Former Prisoners Reveal Torture in Palestinian Prisons,” Ynet, May 3, 2010, available from http://www.ynetnews.com/ articles/0,7340,L-3858317,00.html

  61. See PCHR, Report on Torture Practices in PNA Prisoners and Detention Center (August 2010), 13, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/2010/ Torture.English.pdf.

  62. PCHR, Annual Report 2011, 77-78, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/ files/2012/Annual2011E.pdf

  63. PCHR, Report on Torture, 11–13.

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  64. Ibid., 20–25.

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  65. Quoted in “Fatah, Hamas Trade Accusations.”

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  66. This figure is taken from ICHR, Annual Report 2008, 62, Annual Report 2009, 81, and Annual Report 2010, 182; Annual Report 2010 is available from http://www.ichr.ps/en/2/6/596/ICHR’s-16th-Annual-Report-ICHR’s-16th-Annual-Report.htm

  67. For instance, ICHR disclosed that it had received more than 750 complaints from people alleging that they were arbitrarily arrested in the years 2008, 2009, and 2010. This figure is taken from ICHR, Annual Report 2008, 71, Annual Report 2009, 98, and Annual Report 2010, 181.

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  68. See ICHR, Annual Report 2007, 106, available from http://www.ichr.ps/ pdfs/ear-13.pdf. See also PCHR, “Palestinian Detained and Tortured in Al-Mashtal Detention Center Dies,” press release, July 16, 2007, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?OPTion=com.content&view=article&id=671:palestinian-detained-and-tortured-in-al-mashtal-detentioncenter-dies&catid=133:press-releases-from-other-years-05–08&Itemid=300

  69. See Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights, “Unidentified Armed Men Kidnap and Beat a Man in Gaza,” press release, April 2, 2010, available from http://www.mezan.org/en/details.php?id=9945&ddname=State of insecurity&id.dept=3&id2=9&p=center

  70. See Hamas, The Charter of Allah.

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  71. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), “Pro-Fatah TV and Radio Stations Attacked, Forced off the Air,” press release, June 15, 2007, available from http://en.rsf.org/palestinian-territories-pro-fatah-tv-and-radio-stations-15–06–2007,22573.html

  72. RSF, “Media Diversity in Danger in Gaza Strip and West Bank,” press release, July 27, 2007, available from http://en.rsf.org/palestinian-territories-mediadiversity-in-danger-in-gaza-27–07–2007,23081.html

  73. Quoted in, “Shortit El 7koma El Mqalah Tosadir Al-Ayyam, Al-Quds, wa Al-Hayat Al-Jadida wa Tamna7ma min Dikhool Ghaza (“The Police of the Deposed Government Confiscate Al-Ayyam, Al-Quds, and Al-Hayat Al-Jadida, and Bans their Entry into Gaza”), Al-Ayyam (without date of publication). available from http://www.al-ayyam.com/printpreview.aspx?did=90237 [ Unofficial translation, made by the author.]

  74. Ibid.

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  75. See Palestinian Centre for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA), Violations of Media Freedoms during February 2008, available from http://www.madacenter.org/report. php?lang=1&id=844&category.id=13&year=2008

  76. Quoted in PCHR, The Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression and the Right to Peaceful Assembly: 1 August 2008–31 October 2009, 12, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/2011/freedom&%202009.pdf

  77. MADA, Graphic: Annual report (2008) of Violations of Media Freedoms in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Charter 3, available from http://www.madacenter.org/images/text.editor/theghrapics.doc

  78. MADA, Graphic: Annual report (2009) of Violations of Media Freedoms in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, available from http://www.madacenter.org/ images/text.editor/graphics&%202009.doc

  79. MADA, Annual report (2010) of Violations of Media Freedoms in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, 6, available from http://www.madacenter.org/images/ text.editor/annual2010.doc

  80. Hassan El Sifi, interview by ICHR, [ Waqe3 El 7uriyat El 3lamia fiManatiq Al-Sulta Al-Watanya Khilal 2008 (ICHR, Freedom of Media in the Palestinian-Controlled Territory during 2008), Special Report Series (65), December 2008, 154–55, available in Arabic from http://www.ichr.ps/pdfs/SP65.pdf [ Unofficial translation, made by the author.]

  81. See HRW, No News is Good News: Abuses Against Journalists by Palestinian Security Forces (April 2011), 13, available from http://www.hrw.org/sites/ default/files/reports/iOPT0411webwcover.pdf

  82. See Amended Basic Law 2003.

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  83. His term expired, legally speaking, in January 2009, as he was elected in January 2005 for a four-year term.

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  84. RSF, Press Freedom Situation Continues to Deteriorate in Hamastan; press statement, August 28, 2007, available at http://en.rsf.org/palestinianterritories-press-freedom-situation-continues-28–08–2007,23431.html

  85. Quoted in “Milishia [ 7amas Ta’3tadi wa Ta3taqil Sahafiyoon Khilal Taghtiyat Masiraa le 7arkat Fati7” (“Hamas Militias Attack and Arrest Journalists during their Covering of a Pro-Fatah March”), Al-Arabeya, August 24, 2007, available from http://www.al-arabeya.net/index.asp?serial=&f=3397136152 [ Arabic, unofficial translation, made by the author.]

  86. For these assemblies, see the next section, “The Hamas Authority and the Right to Peaceful Assembly.”

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  87. See Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Hamas Forces Attack Journalists Covering Gaza Protest; statement, March 16, 2011, available from http://cpj.org/2011/03/hamas-forces-attack-journalists-covering-gaza-prot.php

  88. CPJ, Hamas Attacks Gaza News Bureaus; Yemen Ousts Reporters; statement, March 19, 2011, available from http://cpj.org/2011/03/hamas-attacks-gazanews-bureaus-yemen-ousts-report.php

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  90. The video clip is broadcast in Arabic, available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocHelpnsjUI

  91. Against this backdrop one may read of the arbitrary arrests of journalists, and the torture practiced against some of them by Hamas security forces. According to a local human rights group, the arrest of at least 5 out of 13 journalists in 2008 was arbitrary (without a legal warrant), and most of those arrested were subjected to torture and ill-treatment during questioning, while others were accused of reporting on the Hamas authority’s practices in Gaza to pro-PA media agencies (e.g., Palestinian TV and Palestinian Radio). See ICHR, Freedom of Media in the Palestinian-Controlled Territory during 2008, Special Report Series 65 (December 2008), 16–20, available from http://www.ichr.ps/pdfs/eSP65.pdf. Meanwhile, many reported attacks on media agencies in 2008 were allegedly without a judicial ruling. See Ibid., 25–28, 32–34, 38–40. Because of these practices, many of the journalists have been already exercising a degree of self-censorship, and are “scared to talk about specific subjects.” Quoted in MADA, Annual Report (2010) of Violations of Media Freedoms in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, 8, available from http://www.madacenter.org/images/text.editor/annual2010.doc

  92. The leaflet included “ten points,” mainly related to the Hamas authority’s economic and fiscal policy in Gaza. These points are available from http://www.kefelhares.com/archive/index.php/t-5516.html [ Arabic, unofficial translation, made by the author.]

  93. Quoted in “[ Al-Jabha El Sh3byaa Tathim Hamas be I3tiqal 12 min 3anasrha ala Khalifyat El Byan wa El Harakah Tathima be El Ta7reed” (“The Popular Front Accuses Hamas of Arresting 12 of its members, and the Movement accuses it of incitement”), Asharq Al-Awsat, April 29, 2010, available from http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&issueno=11475&article= 567346 [ Arabic, unofficial translation, made by the author.]

  94. Quoted in Ibid.

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  95. Quoted in Ibid.

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  96. Quoted in “[ El-Dakhiliya El Mqalah Tantaqid Bayan Al-Jabha El Sh3byaa wa Tosdir Bayan Tawdihi” (“The Deposed Ministry of Interior criticizes the Leaflet of the Popular Front, and Issues an Explanatory Leaflet”), Maan News Agency, April 29, 2010, available from http://www.maannews.net/arb/ ViewDetails.aspx?ID=280369 [ Arabic, unofficial translation, made by the author; emphasis added]

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  97. HRW, No News is Good News, 27.

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  98. HRW, Gaza: Lift Restrictions on Books, Newspapers, news release, March 7, 2011, available from http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/03/07/gaza-lift-restrictionsbooks-newspapers

  99. Quoted in Nobles-News, available from http://www.nobles-news.com/ news/news/index.php?page=show.det&select.page=9&id=89084 [ Arabic, unofficial translation, made by the author.]

  100. For instance, on April 13, 1995, a PA state security court passed a two-year sentence against Sayed Abu Musameh, editor of the pro-Hamas periodical Al Watan (Homeland) after charging him with incitement. See Mukhimer, “State Building,” 149.

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  101. An Arabic version of the law (Law No. 9 of 1995 Concerning Press and Publications) is available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/arabic/studies/ presslaw&%20.1..pdf. For some discussion of the law see: The International Center against Censorship and the Center for Media Freedom in Middle East and North Africa, The 1995 Press Law of the Palestinian National Authority (London, June 1999), available from http://www.article19.org/data/files/pdfs/ analysis/palestine.prs.99.pdf. See also Toby Mendel and Ali Khashan, The Legal Framework for Media in Palestine and Under International Law, available from http://www.article19.org/data/files/pdfs/analysis/palestine-mediaframework. pdf

  102. Ibid.

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  103. For these violations, see PCHR: The Right to Freedom of Expression and the Right to Peaceful Assembly under the Palestinian Authority: The Case of the Gaza Strip (May 1994-December 1998), series study 18 (September 1999), available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/S&r/English/pdf/Series&%20Study&%2018. PDF

  104. See Amended Basic Law.

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  105. Ibid.

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  106. See “El-Salat 3la Al Tariqa Al Fat7awya (Friday Prayers According to Fatah’s Way),” Marebpress, (without date of publication), available from http://marebpress.net/articles.php?print=2709 [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

  107. Ibid.

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  108. Ibid.

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  109. See Ibid.

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  110. See, “El 7koma El Muqalah Totalib Fati7 be 7sool 3la Tasaree7 Le Salat El 3id fiAl 3raa” (“The Deposed Government Asks Fatah to Obtain Permits for the Eid Prayers in Public Squares”), Asharq Al-Awsat, (without date of publication), available from http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?section=4&i ssueno=10543&article=440642&feature [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

  111. As quoted and slightly modified in PCHR: “PCHR Calls upon the Executive Force to Cancel the Decision to Ban Demonstrations without Official Permission from the Force,” press release, August 13, 2007, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index. php?OPTion=com.content&view=article&id=721:pchr-calls-upon-theexecutive-force-to-cancel-the-decision-to-ban-demonstrations-withoutofficial-permission-from-the-force&catid=133:press-releases-f

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  114. Ibid.

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  115. Quoted in Ibid. [ Emphasis added]

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  116. See “Mahrajan 3rafat Yata7awal elaa Sa7it Ma3raka Ta7sod 3shrat El-Qatlaa wa El-Jarhaa (“Arafat Memorial Rally Turns into Battlefield Claiming the Life of Tens, and Injuring Tens of Others”), Al-Sharq Al-Awsat, November 13, 2007, available from http://www.aawsat.com/details.asp?article=445434&issueno=1 0577 [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

  117. Quoted in “7amas Tu7amil Fati7 Masuliyat A7dath Ghaza” (“Hamas Holds Fatah Responsible for the Events in Gaza”), People News, November 13, 2007, available from http://arabic.people.com.cn/31662/6301769.html [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

  118. Quoted in “Dikraa Ra7eel 3rafat Ta7walat ilaa 7mam Dam” (“The anniversary of Arafat’s Death has Turned into Bloodshed”), Global News (without date of publication), available from http://globalnewscombined.com/news/print.copy/170459 [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

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  120. Quoted in “Al-Falastinuon Ykhshon min 3odit Al-Iqtital Al-Dakhili” (“Palestinians Fear the Return of Infighting in Gaza”), Elaph, November 12, 2007, available from http://www.elaph.com/Web/WebForm/ PrinterFriendlyVersion.aspx?isArchive=False&ArticleId=279601 [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

  121. See “Al-Tanfidya Takhtatif 400 min Kawader Harakat Fati7” (The Executive Force kidnapping 400 Fatah cadres”), Al-Hayat Al Jadeeda (without date of publication), available from http://www.alhayat-j.com/details. php?opt=3&id=54897&cid=977 [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

  122. See “Fati7 To’akd an Al-Amn El-Dakhili le 7amas Yamn3 E7yaa Dikraa Ra7eel 3rafat ( “Fatah Stresses that Hamas’s Internal Security Apparatus Bans the Commemoration of Arafat’s Departure”), AFP, November 10, 2009, available from http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ ALeqM5gVzZBVIDw0BCxOoyH1LfMuOQBUQQ [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author].

  123. The banning of any public assembly marking the anniversary of Fatah came, it seems, in response to an alleged decision taken by the PA in Ramallah banning assemblies and public rallies marking Hamas’s anniversary in the West Bank. For instance, on December 31, 2007, the Hamas authority announced that it permitted Fatah to mark its anniversary, but the PA in Ramallah prevented Hamas members and supporters from marking Hamas’s anniversary in December of the same year, and launched a wide arrest campaign. See Gaza-Based Ministry of Interior, A statement Issued by Information Office of the Ministry of Interior on 31–12–2007 about Allowing the Fatah Movement to Establish a press Conference in Fatah Residency on the Anniversary of its Rally, December 31, 2007, available from http://www.moi.gov.ps/en/news/4662/A-statement-issued-by-the-Information-Office-of-the-Ministry-of-Interior-on-31–12–2007-about-allowing-to-Fatah-movementfor-establishing-a-press-conference-in-Fatah-residency-anniversary-ofits-sally

  124. PCHR, Report on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression and the Right to Peaceful Assembly under the Palestinian Authority (PA): 1 November 2009—30 November 2010, 17, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/2011/ freedom&%202010.pdf

  125. ICHR, Annual Report 2009, 169.

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  126. Quoted in We Will Return, January 31, 2010, available from http://wewillreturn.blogspot.com/2010.01.01.archive.html [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

  127. Ibid.

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  128. ICHR, Annual Report 2008, 145.

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  129. ICHR, Annual Report 2009, 166.

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  130. See PCHR, Annual report 2007, 92–94, Annual Report 2008, 90–92, Annual report 2009, 107–09, Annual Report 2010, 99–101, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?OPTion=com.content&view=category& layout=blog&id=40&Itemid=172. See also PCHR, Taqreer El-Haq fiHoryat El Ra’i we Al Ta3beer wa El-Haq fiEl-Tajamo3El-Silmi fiDil Al-Sulta Al-Watanya (Report on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression and the Right to Peaceful Assembly under the Palestinian Authority “PA”): 1 December 2010—31 August 2011 (December 2011), 24–36, Arabic edition, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/2011/freedom-2011.pdf

  131. PCHR, Report on the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression and the Right to Peaceful Assembly under the Palestinian Authority (PA): 1 November 2009—30 November 2010, 18, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/2011/freedom&%202010.pdf

  132. See “Masiraat fiGhaza Tutalib be Inhaa’ Al-Inqisam wa Shortit El-Mqalah Tofariqhaa Bilqwa” (“Rallies in Gaza Demand an end to the split, and the Police of the Deposed Government Forcibly Disperse them”), Maan News Agency, March 19, 2011, available from http://www.maannews.net/arb/ ViewDetails.aspx?ID=370136 [ Arabic, unofficial Translation made by the author.]

  133. Quoted in Fares Akram, “Briefing on Protest for Palestinian Unity Becomes a Rally Itself,” New York Times, March 14, 2011, available from http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/world/middleeast/15gaza.html?.r=2&scp=2&sq=gaza&st=cse

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  134. Ibid.

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  135. See Al-Mezan and Al-Dameer, “Attacks against Peaceful Assembly in Al Kateeba Square Condemned; Violation of the Law and Must Be Investigated,” joint press release, March 16, 2011, available from http://www.mezan.org/en/ details.php?id=11700&ddname=&id.dept=9&id2=9&p=center

  136. HRW, Gaza: Stop Suppressing Peaceful Protests, news statement, March 19, 2011. http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/03/19/gaza-stop-suppressing-peacefulprotests

  137. Ibid.

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  138. Quoted in Ashraf El Hor, Al Tanzimaat Tonadid be Tafreeq Shortit 7amas Bilqwa le E3tisaam Al-Katiba (“Political Factions Condemn the Forcible Dispersion of Al-Katiba’ Assembly by the Hamas Police”), Al-Quds Al-Arabi, March 16, 2011, available from http://www.alquds.co.uk/index.asp?fname=today\16qpt944.htm&arc=data\2011\03\03–16\16qpt944.htm[Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author; emphasis added]

  139. Quoted in Ibid.

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  140. Quoted in “Ajhizit Amn El 7koma El Muqalah Ta3tadi 3la Al-Sa7afuyen wa Maqratohom (“The Deposed Government’s Security Forces Attack Journalists and their Offices in Gaza”), Sahafi, March 20, 2011, available from http://www.sahafi.jo/arc/art1.php?id=b040d8ff55c8ace04232026bc806c9e07e c9be5d [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author; emphasis added]

  141. As reported in “Al-Shortah Tofareq Tajmo3 Le 7zb El Tahrir be El Qwaa wa Toseeb Tiflah be Rasas wa Ta3tadi be El Darb 3laa 3dad min El Mosharekeen” (“the Police Forcibly Dispersed An assembly Organized by Liberation Islamic Party, and Injuring A female Child, and Beaten A number of Participants”), 3rbnews, July 15, 2010., available from http://3rbnews.net/2010–01–13–14–18–01/4644–2010–07–15–02–16–41.html [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

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  142. Ibid.

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  143. Ibid.

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  144. See Article 26 (para. 5) of Amended Basic Law.

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  145. Based on ICHR, Annual Report 2008. 143–44.

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  146. Quoted in “Hamas Men, Girl Killed in Gaza Blast,” ABC, July 26, 2008, available from http://www.abc.net.au/news/2008–07–26/hamas-men-girlkilled-in-gaza-blast/453184

  147. Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights, “Over 122 Institutions, Offices Are Targeted by Security in Gaza: Al Mezan Condemns Illegal Mass Arrests and Raids on Institutions,” press release, July 27, 2008, available from http://www.mezan.org/en/details.php?id=1576&ddname=local detention&id.dept=9&id2=9&p=center

  148. ICHR, Freedom of Association in the Palestinian-Controlled Territory during 2008, special reports series, report no. 66 (December 2008), 39–40, available from http://www.ichr.ps/pdfs/eSP66.pdf

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  150. Ibid., 37.

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  151. See ICHR, About us, available from http://www.ichr.ps/etemplate. php?id=2&lid=2.

  152. ICHR, Vision, Values & Missions, available from http://www.ichr.ps/etemplate. php?id=3&lid=2

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  154. Ibid. http://www.ichr.ps/etemplate. php?id=103&lid=2

  155. ICHR, Structure, available from http://www.ichr.ps/etemplate. php?id=103&lid=2

  156. One may refer to ICHR’s annual reports, The Status of Human Rights in the Palestinian-controlled Territory, available from http://www.ichr.ps/etemplate. php?id=15

  157. “Rights Group Urges Hamas to Charge Officers for Mistreating Detainee,” Xinhua, August 11, 2009, available from http://news.xinhuanet.com/ english/2009–08/11/content.11865455.htm

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  159. See PCHR, “PCHR Expresses Concern over Statement by Governmental Source in Gaza against Independent Commission of Human Rights,” press release, August 13, 2009, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/ portal/en/index.php?option=com.content&view=article&id=1137:pch r-expresses-concern-over-statement-by-governmental-source-in-gazaagainst-independent-commission-of-human-rights&catid=36:pchrpressrelea ses&Itemid=194

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  163. ICHR, “ICHR Holds a Press Conference Regarding the Passing of ICHR Law by the Change and Reform Bloc of the PLC in the Gaza Strip,” press release, August 26, 2010, available from http://www.ichr.ps/en/2/12/292/ ICHR-holds-a-press-conference-regarding-the-passing-of-ICHR-law-bythe-Change-and-Reform-Bloc-of-the-PLC-in-the-Gaza-Strip-ICHR-holdsa-press-conference-regarding-the-passing-of-ICHR-law-by-the-Changeand-Reform-Bloc-of-the-PLC-in-the-Gaza-Strip.htm?d=2010

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  165. Quoted in “A3laa Haia 7oqoqiya Tatahim 7amas Be sa3i elaa Waqf 3mlihaa fiGhaza” (“The Highest Palestinian Human Rights Body Accuses Hamas of Seeking to Stop its Work in Gaza”), the People Newspapers, August 27, 2010, available from http://arabic.people.com.cn/31662/7119896.html [ Arabic, unofficial translation, made by the author.]

  166. Quoted in Ibid.

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  168. PCHR, PCHR Expresses Concern over Statement by Governmental Source.

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  169. See Report of the United Nations Fact-Findings Mission on the Gaza Conflict, 286–91.

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  170. As reported in “Dakhilyat 7amas Totalib Al-Moasasat Al-Dawliya be 7sool 3la Tasaree7 Le Momarist Mahmaha fiGhaza” (“Hamas Interior Ministry Asks International Organizations to Obtain A licence to Operate in Gaza”), a5baar, April; http://www.a5baar.com/sa/showthread.php?t=37953 [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

  171. Ibid.

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  172. Ibid.

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  173. See “Munazamat Dawliya Tohadid Bewaqf Mshari3ha fiQita3 Ghaza be Sabab Tadakholat 7komat 7amas” (“International organizations Threatened to Suspend their Projects in Gaza Strip Because of Hamas Government Interventions”), Khuzaanow, (without date of publication), available from http://www.khuzaanow.com/forum/showthread.php? 8585 &s=1a321711c 9485435bf8ff4cb34d0aa7b [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

  174. Quoted in “Amrica Towaqif El-ma3onaat 3n Ghaza” (“America Halts Aid to Gaza”), Al-Jazeera, August 13, 2011, available from http://www.aljazeera. net/news/pages/8754306b-8b3a-4aad-9147-f52dddd9886a [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

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  175. As reported in Ibid.

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  176. See Gaza-Based Ministry of Interior on August 15, 2011. http://www.moi.gov.ps/en/news/28302/&%D8&%A7&%D9&%84&%D9&%85&%D8&%A4&%D8&%B3&%D8&%B3&%D8&%A7&%D8&%AA-&%D8&%A7&%D9&%84&%D8&%A3&%D8&%AC&%D9&%86&%D8&%A8&%D9&%8A&%D8&%A9-&%D9&%81&%D9&%8A-&%D8&%BA&%D8&%B2&%D8&%A9-&%D8&%AA&%D9&%85&%D8&%A7&%D8&%B1&%D8&%B3-&%D9&%86&%D8&%B4&%D8&%A7 &%D8&%B7&%D8&%A7&%D8&%AA&%D9&%87&%D8&%A7-&%D8&%A8&%D9&%83&%D9&%84-&%D8&%AD&%D8&%B1&%D9&%8A&%D8&%A9 [ Arabic]

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  178. Quoted in “USAID Towaqif Musa3datihaa le Ghaza wa Tosh3il Azmaa ma3 Masr” (“USAID Halts Aid to Gaza, and Sparks Crisis with Egypt”), Wattan, August 13, 2011, available from http://www.wattan.tv/hp.details. cfm?id=a456869a2302137&c.id=1 [ Arabic, unofficial Translation made by the author; emphasis added]

  179. Quoted in “7komat Ghaza: La Azmaa ma3 Al-Moasasat ghier El-Rib7yaa wa Hadafona Man3 Soa’ Al-Idarah wa El-Fasaad El-Mali” (“Gaza Government: No Crisis with Non-Profit Organizations, and our Goal is only to Prevent Mismanagement and Financial Corruption”), Sama News, August 12, 2011, available from http://samanews.com/index.php?act=Show&id=102862 [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

  180. Summary of the agreement was published in “7amas To3lin Intihaa Al Azmaa Ma3 El Wikalah Al-Amricia le El Tanmiya” (“Hamas Announces the End of Crisis with the USAID”), AFP, August 13, 2011, available from http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jvJuQu4NXtK9t3UukD0 bsP9MpTLg?docId=CNG.5eddb12a16b2be952cd93732dc5afa9b.3f1 [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

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  183. A/HRC/16/71, Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Implementation of Human Rights Council Resolutions.

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  184. Sharek Youth Forum, which was established in 1996 and receives funding from the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation (SDC) and the United Nations Development Program/ Program of Assistance to the Palestinian People (UNDP /PAPP), services thousands of beneficiaries (mainly children) through various programs of capacity building, educational workshops, and other social activities, and works at promoting and advocating the rights of youths to actively participate in public life and in the decision-making process. Sharek Youth Forum, About, available from http://www.sharek.ps/ about-sharek

  185. Quoted in “Estinkar fiGhaza Leghlaq Muntadaa Sharek El Shababi” (“Condemnation in Gaza due to the Closure of Sharek Youth Forum”), Dar Al Hayat, December 2, 2010, available from http://international.daralhayat. com/internationalarticle/208256 [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

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  188. Palestine Monitor, Sharek Youth Forum Closed in Gaza, statement, December 2, 2010, available from http://www.palestinemonitor.org/spip/spip. php?article1636

  189. Nidal al-Mughrabi, “Militants Attack U.N. Gaza Summer Camp,” Reliefweb, May 23, 2010, available from http://www.reliefweb.int/node/355448

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  192. Wattan News, May 25, 2010, available from http://article.wn.com/view/ WNATf425f5493711d7838dce27d06a685206/

  193. See “Al-Jihad El-Islami Yastankir Al-i3tidaa’ 3la Mukhayamat Al-Onrwa” (“The Islamic Jihad Condemns the Attack on the UNRWA Summer Camps”), Paltoday, May 23, 2010, available from http://paltoday.ps/ar/p ost/80695/&%D8&%A7&%D9&%84&%D8&%AC&%D9&%87&%D8&%A7&%D8&%AF-&%D 8&%A7&%D9&%84&%D8&%A5&%D8&%B3&%D9&%84&%D8&%A7&%D9&%85&%D9&%8A-&%D8&%AA&%D8&%AF&%D9&%8A&%D9&%86-&%D8&%A7&%D9&%84&%D8&%A7&%D8&%B-9&%D8&%AA&%D8&%AF&%D8&%A7&%D8&%A1-&%D8&%B9&%D9&%84&%D9&%89-&%D9&%8 5&%D8&%AE&%D9&%8A&%D9&%85&%D8&%A7&%D8&%AA-&%D8&%A7&%D9&%84&%D8&%A 3&%D9&%88&%D9&%86&%D8&%B1&%D9&%88&%D8&%A7 [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

  194. As reported by Felesteen, July 29, 2011, available from http://www.felesteen. ps/newspaper/releases/2011–07–29/p2011072911.pdf [ Arabic, unofficial translation made by the author.]

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  218. Charles Levinson, “Egypt Tightens Gaza Barrier to Close Tunnels,” The Wall Street Journal, February 22, 2010, available from http://online.wsj.com/article/ SB10001424052748703787304575075524152161044.html#

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  220. Patrick Moser, “Children Risk their Lives in Gaza’s Blockade-Busting Tunnels,” AFP, July 12, 2009, available from http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ article/ALeqM5hYZkIgqVIjw5s97PTUl0UDj1yNcQ

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  223. Ali Waked, “Haniyeh Urges Mubarak to Stop Building Fence,” Ynet, December 27, 2009, available from http://www.ynetnews.com/ articles/0,7340,L-3826010,00.html

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  240. PCHR, “PCHR Condemns Excessive and Lethal Use of Force against Civilians in Gaza,” press release, November 13, 2007, available from http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/en/index.php?OPTion=com. content&view=article&id=799:pchr-condemns-excessive-and-lethal-useof-force-against-civilians-in-gazan&catid=133:press-releases-from-otheryears-05–08&Itemid=300

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  245. Ibid.

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  252. Quoted in We will return.

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  257. In this context, the committee of independent experts in international humanitarian and human rights law disclosed the failure of the Hamas authority’s prosecution office to provide it with substantive data regarding the criminal proceedings related to alleged violations of IHL and IHRL, noting the settlement of some cases out of court between the families involved. See The Report of the Committee of Independent Experts, 21.

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  258. For these committees see Sayigh, Hamas Rule.

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  259. For this case, see Falestinethwra, February 7, 2009, available from http://falestinethwra.wordpress.com/category/&%D8&%AC&%D8&%B1&%D8&%A7&%D8&%A 6&%D9&%85-&%D8&%AD&%D9&%85&%D8&%A7&%D8&%B3/ (Arabic).

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  1. Irish Centre for Human Rights, National University of Ireland, Ireland

    Tariq Mukhimer (Bank of Ireland Fellow)

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Mukhimer, T. (2013). Hamas and Human Rights. In: Hamas Rule in Gaza: Human Rights under Constraint. Palgrave Pivot, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137310194_4

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