Five non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were raided and some of their belongings were confiscated by persons who presented themselves as members of the Gaza internal security apparatus.
When they broke into the NGOs offices, these persons did not provide their names.
They did not have any documents from courts or any other authorized bodies that would enable them to lawfully search the NGOs offices.
Al Mezan condemns these assaults against NGOs and views them with much concern.
Al Mezan calls on the Gaza Government to initiate an investigation into these acts, ensure full respect of the law, and protect the right of NGOs to work freely.
  According to affidavits given to Al Mezan by persons employed by the NGOs, between 10am and 12am on Monday 31 May 2010, the Gaza Government’s internal security apparatus broke into four NGOs offices in the town of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.
The NGOs are: Sharik Youth Institution, Bonat Al-Mustaqbal (Future Builders) Society, the South Society for Women's Health, and the Women and Children Society.
The raiders searched the offices and made a list of the equipment and other belongings in the NGOs.
Later, between 6pm and 8pm on the same day, a group of persons, who also identified themselves as from the internal security apparatus, went to the offices of the same NGOs and called the directors by telephone.
They confiscated most of the equipment and belongings, including computers, faxes, cameras, part of the documents, reports as well as the keys to their doors.
The security members informed the directors that their organizations were closed.
They did not provide any reasons behind this decision.
  At approximately 3pm on Monday 31 May 2010, eight members of the Gaza internal security apparatus appeared at Sharik Youth Institution office in Gaza City.
They searched the office and confiscated 18 laptops, two desktops, three digital cameras and three USB memory sticks.
They also took some papers and lists of names.
One of the Sharik staff members made a list of the confiscated equipment.
He asked the security members to sign the list One of them signed; however, without writing his name on it.
  In a separate incident, at approximately, 8am on Tuesday 1 June 2010, a group of persons who identified themselves as from the internal security apparatus broke into and Palestinian Mini Parliament and the National Reconciliation Committee.
They confiscated the keys to their doors and ordered them closed.
  Al Mezan views these assaults on NGOs and the way they were carried out without any respect to the law with great concern.
Al Mezan condemns them and questions their timing, which comes amid the outcry against the Israeli crime against the Freedom Flotilla.
  Al Mezan asserts that attacks on NGOs violate constitutional rights under Article 26 of the amended Palestinian Basic Law.
Article 26 of this law provides for Palestinians right to participate in public life, particularly by forming syndicates, unions, institutions, clubs and popular institutions.
  These assaults also violate the Palestinian Charitable Associations Law No.
1 of 2001.
Article 1 in this law provides that Palestinian citizens have the right to practice social, cultural, professional and scientific activity freely, including the right to establish and run associations and community organizations in accordance with the law.
Article 41 of the same law prohibits any confiscate the assets of any society or association, or closing or searching their offices or branches, without a decision issued by an authorized judicial body.
  In light of the above, Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights calls on the Gaza Government to: ·         Initiate investigations in these assaults promptly; ·         Return all the confiscated documents and equipment to the NGOs; ·         Ensure respect of the procedural aspect of the law, particularly concerning the bodies authorized to issue and execute search, confiscation and closure documents; ·         Ensure that the enforcement of the law is strictly carried out by the bodies authorized by the law, and hold those who violate the law and assume or misuse powers not stated by the law accountable for their actions.
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