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Wednesday, April 30, 2008       Free Headline Alerts

No protests or celebrations in Gaza without a permit from Hamas

GAZA CITY — The Hamas regime has banned protests or public celebrations in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas police have issued a series of orders that require permits for protests or other assemblies. The police have also warned refugee camps in the Gaza Strip against celebrations without permission.

"The Palestinian Police call upon any party that wish to organize a public assembly or celebration to obtain prior permission from the relevant authority in the police force," Hamas police said on April 26.

The latest orders came amid the Hamas crackdown against Fatah and other opposition movements in the Gaza Strip. In April, Hamas's Executive Force raided several Fatah strongholds in Gaza City and Rafah.

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"This is necessary in order to uphold law and order," Hamas police said on April 26. "In addition, the party will sign a commitment to respect the law and to ban the perpetration of any illegal actions, to infringe on public morals, fire in the air, or incite."

The regulation was said to suspended a 1998 PA law that permitted peaceful assembly. The PA law was often violated by the then-Fatah-led government, which in 2000 ordered a ban on public gatherings without permission.

"PCHR is extremely concerned by the decision of the Police Force of the dismissed government in Gaza stipulating the acquisition of a permit prior to holding public assemblies or celebrations," the Palestinian Center for Human Rights said. "The center views this decision as a violation of the right to peaceful assembly that is protected by the Basic Law and the Public Assemblies Law for the Year 1998, which calls for notifying the police rather than obtain a permit."

Hamas authorities have also restricted weddings and other social events. On April 13, police in the Shati refugee camp outside Gaza City ordered all social halls to require permission to stage a celebration.

Palestinian sources said the police order was meant to prevent opposition activities during the summer in the Gaza Strip. The sources said many weddings have turned into Fatah protests against the Hamas regime.


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