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Al Mezan condemns assault against Palestinian churches and demands justice

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18 September 2006 |Reference 109/2006

In the aftermath of remarks made by Pope Benedict XVI on Islam and violence in a German University last week, which provoked angered reactions among Muslims, several attacks on churches have taken place in Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns offenses against Islam or against any other religions, as well as the attacking of places of worship.
The Center denounces any practices that could violate the freedom of religion and belief.
Al Mezan emphasizes that these assaults against churches constitute one more example demonstrating the growing insecurity and absence of the rule of law in the OPT, which has resulted in the killing and injury of hundreds of Palestinian citizens.
Al Mezan believes that these actions contravenes the deep-rooted principles of coexistence, tolerance, solidarity and support which have ruled Palestinian society for decades, and stresses that attacks on places of worship not only offend Christians, but also Muslims.
The Center demands the PNA to conduct serious investigations into the latest attacks on churches in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and bring the perpetrators to justice, which would contribute also to future deterrence.
The Center reiterates its demands that the PNA take steps to put an immediate end to the deteriorating security situation and reinforce the rule of law in the OPT.
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