Clashes erupted between students of the Islamic Bloc in Al-Azhar University and university personnel and other students on the campus yesterday.
The police of the deposed government assaulted several teachers, members of the administration and other university staff.
Teachers alleged that the police assaulted them when they tried to hold a peaceful protest outside the university.
The Islamic Bloc at the university organized a ceremony to mark the anniversary of the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, founder of Hamas Movement, despite the refusal of the university administration to permit to organizing it.
According to Al Mezan field investigations, at approximately 5am, on 31 March 2008, dozens of Islamic Bloc students arrived to the university campus.
They carried Hamas slogans and banners and hung them on the buildings around the celebration.
They also constructed a platform for speeches.
Upon the arrival of teachers, employees and students, some university teachers and administrative staff gathered outside the university fences.
According to one professor’s claim, once they stood outside the university members of the police of the deposed government asked them to enter the campus and end their protest.
They refused and a verbal exchange took place between them and the police.
As a result, members of the police assaulted some teachers and guards of the university.
According to affidavits received by Al Mezan, the following teachers were assaulted: Dr.
Na'im Al Masri, Dr.
Suhayb Al Agha, Dr.
Ayman Shaheen, Dr.
Samir Ismail, Dr.
Omar Abu Tamim, Dr.
Mazin Sabbah, and the Chief of Security, Basil Hillis.
None of them sought medical treatment.
There was also friction within the campus itself.
Eyewitnesses reported to Al Mezan that some students of the Islamic Bloc insulted some teachers and students, including Dr.
Ali An Naj'jar, the Dean of the Student Affairs.
Some of them attacked 21-year-old Rana Radwan, a third-year psychology student and member of the student council.
As a result, she lost consciousness and was transferred to Al Ahli Hospital for treatment.
At approximately 11pm later that day, the festival ended and the campus returned to normal.
The students of the Islamic Bloc then removed the banners and slogans that were hung on the university’s buildings.
The university administration announced the suspension of study on 31 March and 1 April 2008.
They also organized a demonstration on the university campus and did not set a date for the resumption of study.
According to Al Mezan field investigations, which were based on eyewitness accounts from both the university administration and the Islamic Bloc, the problem broke out after the Islamic Bloc students insisted on organizing a celebration on the university campus without getting the approval of university administration.
President of the student's Islamic Bloc, Abed Al Aziz Tafish, claimed that the reason behind the recent incidents in the university is the discrimination that characterizes the university administration's conducts in dealing with different student groups.
Administration had refused the requests of the Islamic Bloc, while they complied with other blocs and advocated for Fateh youth members, he said.
The Islamic Bloc insisted repeatedly that the administration allow them to commemorate Sheikh Ahmed Yassin's death, but the university administration continued to refuse.
As a result, Islamic Bloc students felt the move was prejudiced and they felt marginalized.
They decided to hold prepare for the commemoration despite the university administration's decision.
Dr.
Ali An Najjar, Dean of Students' Affairs, said that the Islamic Bloc students treat the university administration and other students with coercion, especially after Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in June 2007.
He added that university issued its decision to deny any activities commemorating political leaders; including Sheikh Yassin's death, to prevent any friction between student groups or disruption on the campus.
The response from the Islamic Bloc, according to Dr.
Najjar, was that they will take by force what they cannot take by law.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns strongly the unfortunate incidents that took place in Al-Azhar University in Gaza City, specifically the beating of university teachers, administrative staff, and students that disrupted study, provoked conflict among students, and disrespected teachers.
Al Mezan emphasizes the importance of respecting the right to peaceful gatherings, which the university teachers and employees are entitled to.
Al Mezan stresses the need to preserve student activities on university campuses, as they have a positive impact on the protection of student's rights and for the development of their vision and personality.
Equality and non-discrimination between different student blocs must be the rule governing the behavior of university administration when making decisions.
The administration must guarantee the right to dissent and adopt dialogue as the means of dealing with issues on campus.
Al Mezan believes that the latter problem is a cumulative result of sharp political division between Hamas and Fateh that manifests itself in the education sector.
Al Mezan reaffirms the need to neutralize the education sector, especially university education, and for the renunciation of violence as a method or means to solve conflict.
Violence only disrupts stability and functioning of the educational process and academic life.
Al Mezan calls on the Ministry of Education, both in Gaza and Ramallah, to ensure the neutralization of the education sector and calls for opening a serious investigation into: The Al-Azhar incidents and bring those who are responsible for illegal conducts to justice in accordance with the law.
The allegations that the police assaulted university teachers and administrative staff, and to bring all those involved in the incident to justice.
The allegations that armed men entered Al-Azhar's campus, which, for the sanctity of the university and the students, will prevent tragedy like that of Mohammed Raddad; a student who was killed on the campus of An Najah National University last year.
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