During the evening on July 12th, 2005, a group of armed Palestinians from Al Bureij Camp in the Gaza Strip kidnapped two foreign engineers, Michael Rabicon (British) and Volker Millerhame (Austrian), both employed by the Austrian Inframan Company.
According to the Palestinian Water Authority, the Inframan Company heads a water development project in Gaza City which is responsible for supplying the city with drinking water.
It is estimated that the project will remain under the supervision of the company for 3 years before it is handed over to the Municipalities Coast Company in Gaza.
As the officials of the PNA stated, the abduction was intended to pressure the Palestinian Authority into releasing of the kidnapper's jailed relatives.
Following negotiations between the PNA and the kidnappers the foreigners were released on July 13th.
The kidnap of foreigners is a flagrant act of disrespect that jeopardizes the rule of law and further propels the state of insecurity responsible for compromising the safety of all Gazans.
Since the beginning of this year, Al Mezan has documented a total of 242 Palestinians killed or injured.
In addition, there have been a number of reported attacks on public and private institutions in the Gaza Strip.
The Center emphasizes that kidnapping serves no benefit; such actions damage the reputation of all Palestinians as well as the Palestinian cause within the international community.
Al Mezan calls upon the PNA to assume its full responsibilities by implementing measures that will prevent violations of the rule of law and end the state of insecurity in the OPT.
The center also calls upon civil society and political factions to cooperate with the PNA in order to prevent future kidnappings.
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