In the second case of its kind in days, a woman was killed today on honor grounds in the town of Rafah.
No information about investigation by the PNA into the crime has been available to Al Mezan yet.
Moreover, a charity building was set to fire also in Rafah today.
Al Mezan's fieldworkers reported that at app.
1.
50am Tuesday, 8 May 2007, unidentified set to fire the Al Bayan Center, which is part of Ibn Baz Ismalic Charity in Rafah refugee camp, and destroyed part of its library.
The Center is run by the Ministry of Awqaf.
In a second crime of its kind in the past few days, and the ninth in 2007, a 35-year-old woman was murdered by a member of her family on what is suspected to be honor grounds.
The crime took place at app.
2.
20am today.
Earlier on Thursday 3 May 2007, a 25-year-old woman was killed by a group of masked men in Khan Younis.
Hospital sources said the victim was admitted at the hospital with several wounds in the upper parts of the body.
The group was seen fleeing the scene by many residents of the Al Amal neighborhood in the town.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights stresses that such acts are completely unacceptable regardless the alleged motives behind them.
The Center emphasizes that all citizens must enjoy the protection of their rights to life and a fair trial.
The crimes against citizens, especially women, and private and public property must be condemned and faced by all the possible means in accordance with the law.
In particular, Al Mezan condemns the frequent acts of killing of women on alleged honor grounds.
Al Mezan places the main responsibility for allowing such crimes to continue, and for the deterioration of security situation with the PNA.
The Center also stresses that allowing the state of chaos and the steady worsening of socio-economic conditions in OPT owing to the Israeli and international sanctions threaten of more deterioration and possible dissolution of the PNA's security apparatus.
Therefore, the Center demands that the PNA and its Ministry of Interior to act immediately and effectively to restore law and order.
Crimes must be investigated and perpetrators must be brought to justice.
Al Mezan also calls the PLC to act in accord with its authentic monitoring responsibilities and hold the government accountable for its failure to maintain law and order in the Gaza Strip.
The political polarization in the PLC must not hinder its role and functions.
END