The Executive Force (EF) has arrested dozens of Palestinian activists in Gaza today.
Among those were Dr.
Zakariya Al-Agha, member of the PLO Executive Committee, Ibrahim Abu An-Naja, the chairman of the National and Islamic Factions Committee, Mrs.
Jamila Saidam, former PLC member, and many other activists.
Hamas has applied its threats that it would prevent Friday mass prayers in public squares.
Its EF members have employed a high degree of force against civilians.
Furthermore, despite the declarations by Hamas' deposed government that it had issued strict instructions to the EF not to interfere with the work of journalists, the EF assaulted and arrested many journalists.
Scenes of EF members, some of whom in civilian wear, beating citizens and journalists have been broadcast by many TV stations today.
According to Al Mezan's documentation, the EF has launched a wide-scaled campaign of arrests against Fatah supporters and members.
Al Mezan fears that many of those were subjected to cruel treatment and/or torture.
The Center has not been able to confirm this because the EF rejected a request by its lawyers' to visit nine of those who have been detained in Jabalia.
Following the calls by Fatah for mass prayers in public squares, the EF deployed thousands of its members in the Gaza Strip.
They tried to prevent citizens from reaching the assigned public squares.
They also cudgeled and opened fire at crowds.
Dozens of citizens were consequently injured.
The EF also assaulted journalists who were covering the events.
Two cameramen, Ibrahim Yaghi and Salam Abu Tahoun; both of whom work for Ramattan News Agency, sustained wounds in the head from beating.
They were arrested and detained in the Arafat Police Town before they were transferred to Al Awda Hospital in north Gaza.
Four other journalists were beaten by EF members; including Zakariya Abu Harbeed, the journalist who photographed the Israeli attack on the Ghalia family last year.
Abdul-Salam Shehadeh, Rammatan's director of production, was also assaulted.
Moreover, EF members assaulted Al Mezan's fieldworker in middle Gaza, Basim Abu Jrai, and confiscated the Center's camera.
Al Mezan also documented an attack against Fathi Sabbah, who is the correspondent of the London-based Al Hayyat newspaper.
Sabbah told the Center that he was initially attacked by a civilian who identified himself as a professor in the Islamic University.
He added that EF members intervened in a way that prevented him from defending himself.
They did not arrest the assailant professor.
Medical sources reported to Al Mezan that at least 60 citizens have been admitted to hospitals.
They suffered from wounds from bullets or cudgeling.
Over 100 others have been arrested.
In addition to those mentioned in the first paragraph of this press release, Al Mezan has been informed that the EF arrested Omar Hilmi Al-Ghoul, an aide of president Mahmoud Abbas, Waleed Al-Awwad, a senior member of the People's Party, Rida Awadallah, a women's activist, and nine other women activists.
Al Mezan knew that the EF has released most of the arrested later today.
Al Mezan strongly condemns the violent attacks on citizens and political activists and leaders.
The Center also condemns the campaigns of arrests by the EF, which were conducted violently.
Al Mezan also condemns the attacks and arrests of journalists, and the assault on its own fieldworker.
These conducts represent serious violations of human rights and unacceptable restrictions on fundamental freedoms, which cannot be justified by invoking attacks on Hamas activists by the PNA in the 1990s, or current violations against its members in the West Bank.
Human rights violations cannot be defensible on such grounds or any other pretenses.
Al Mezan also condemns the serious increase of arrests in the Gaza Strip, and the employment of excessive, unnecessary force during the arrests of activists.
The use of violence and torture are prohibited under Palestinian law and are absolutely prohibited under human rights standards.
Al Mezan therefore demands that Hamas and the deposed government stop the arbitrary campaigns of detention and instruct their members to respect the rights of citizens under their custody.
In particular, they must instruct them to strictly refrain from employing cruel treatment and/or torture.
Al Mezan calls for full respect of the rights to freedom of expression and to peaceful assembly, and the right of the media to work without restrictions.
Al Mezan calls for an effective investigation into the violations mentioned above and for bringing to justice all those who have committed them.
END