FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 6, 2012

CWLRCP Condemns the Forceful Dispersal of Women’s Sit-in in Gaza

CWLRCP has condemned the actions of security forces, including female police officers, who assaulted a number of women participating in a weekly sit-in held this morning, Tuesday, in front of the Legislative Council headquarters in Gaza. The Center, in its capacity as a defender of Palestinian women and their rights, considers the use of force by the police to disperse a peaceful women’s sit-in a violation of their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, as guaranteed by the Palestinian Basic Law. The Center also condemns the beating of a number of participants with batons, the use of abusive language against them, and the removal of a head covering from one of the participants by some police officers, which constitutes a violation of public freedoms. Furthermore, this approach reinforces political division and does not serve national reconciliation efforts. The Center calls on the government to investigate these attacks and hold those responsible accountable.