Press Release

October 29, 2003

The PHRMG is Concerned about the Palestinian Internal Problems

The PHRMG is concerned by the violations committed by the Palestinian gunmen against the Palestinian civilians, and calls for an immediate halt for such violations.

On the 22^nd of October, Ghaleb Al-Faroukh was killed by two Palestinian gunmen, while he was on his way to Sa’ir to shop, and on the 23^rd of October, Majid Zein was also killed by three firemen in the same area. It is said that the reason behind the crimes is tribal. The area where the men were killed is governed by Israel. Israel is responsible for the insecure situation in the areas governed by it and is responsible to halt such violations against Palestinian civilians as long as it governs the Palestinian areas.

In addition, the Palestinian Authority violates the laws by humiliating the Palestinian civilians. On the 8^th of October, a man who lives in Bethlehem complained to the PHRMG of the mistreatment of three Policemen to him. They beat him and slapped him in a very humiliating way. He said that they had no intentions to stop beating him until he apologized to them.

Moreover, a Palestinian man complained to the PHRMG about the way of torture in the Palestinian prisons. On the 22^nd of May at 12 in the midnight, the man was taken from his house by a troop of gunmen. They beat him hardly until one of the policemen asked them to stop. The policeman was afraid that the man may be killed by their hands. The man said that there were no reasons behind arresting him. After 11 days they released him.  The PHRMG calls on the Palestinian Authority to protect the Palestinian civilians instead of humiliating and torturing them.   The PHRMG also calls on the Palestinian Authority to increase their efforts to ensure security and safety among the Palestinian civilians.

The PHRMG demands an immediate halt to all kinds of violations committed by the Palestinian gunmen against the Palestinians. The PHRMG calls on people of Palestinian origin to stop violations against civilians and innocent people, and calls on Israel to control the security system in the Palestinian areas governed by it.