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"We documented dozens of cases of people detained for publishing an article on Facebook, for writing a critical article in a traditional publication, for protesting, for participating in the wrong group or movement," said Omar Shakir, director Israeli-Palestinian HRW, at a press conference in Ramallah announcing the report. In detention, detainees are regularly threatened, beaten, kicked and often subjected to torture. "
The consequence of the crackdown in both places is a deterrent effect on "freedom of expression, association and assembly," HRW said.
In a case detailed in the report, 55-year-old Abdullah Abu Sharkeh of the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza was arrested four times in a year for criticizing Hamas on social media. On May 29, 2017, he was arrested for declaring on Facebook that Hamas ruled "by iron and fire". Abu Sharkeh was forced to sit or sit for hours sitting in a small chair, leaving him very painful on the back, neck and knees for days after being detained. Abu Sharkeh was released five days after confessing that he would "not slander high-ranking officials at the national level."
It is rare for a human rights organization to address its criticism to both Palestinian authorities at the same time – the two are separated by bitter conflict, which can make joint investigation difficult.
The Palestinian Authority and Hamas are widely perceived as the main rivals of Palestinian support. And while the Palestinian Authority enjoys widespread international legitimacy, as evidenced by the list of states that support it, Hamas is considered by the United States and the European Union, among others, like a terrorist organization.
According to HRW, the two authorities have put in place mechanisms to receive complaints from citizens to allow an investigation into charges of unlawful acts committed by security forces, but in practice these mechanisms rarely result in impartial investigations or disciplinary action.
Both authorities rely on international support. The Palestinian Authority's security forces rely mainly on the assistance of the United States and several European states. Hamas is counting on financial support from Iran, Qatar and Turkey. HRW recommended that these countries suspend their assistance to the security forces until the authorities take measures to put an end to "arbitrary arrests and torture".
In addition, HRW has recommended to the West Bank and Gaza authorities to publicly pledge to end arbitrary arrests and torture, to investigate allegations of abuse and to take additional measures to ensure fair and equal treatment. impartial to the detainees. HRW has also advised social media companies and Internet service providers to carefully review all user requests for data from government.
CNN solicited comments from the Palestinian Authority but received no response.
A response from the Palestinian Authority Police General Directorate, included in the HRW report, refutes any allegation of arbitrary arrest or torture. "The directives issued by the Ministry of the Interior (…) prescribe the application of the law, ensure the proper conduct of judicial proceedings, the preservation of freedoms and rights and prevent their violation or restriction except within the limits of the law ", indicates the answer.
Eyad Al Bozom, a Hamas-led spokesman for the Hamas-led Interior Ministry, told CNN that the report "involves many exaggerations and inaccurate information."
"We do not allow torture, we do not close our mouths and we respect Palestinian law, we recognize that the Gaza Freedom Zone is a vast area," said Al Bozom.
European diplomats contacted by CNN said they were reviewing the report, but none of them commented immediately. CNN also solicited comments from the United States but received no response.
