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Gaza: Hamas Raids, Closes Groups for Women and Children

Hamas has raided and closed groups designed to support charity efforts for women and children in Gaza, according to the Jerusalem Post: and according to the Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights.

Hamas raids, closes NGO offices
— Jerusalem Post:
“The NGOs raid on Monday were: Sharik Youth Institution, Bonat Al-Mustaqbal (Future Builders) Society, the South Society for Women’s Health, and the Women and Children Society.”
— “the Gaza-based Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights expressed outrage over the raids and called on the Hamas government to open an investigation.”

Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights Report:

— “Gaza Internal Security Break into Offices of Five NGOs; Confiscate Belongings:Al Mezan Condemns the Assaults, Calls for Respecting the Law”
— “Five non-governmental organizations (NGOs) were raided and some of their belongings were confiscated by persons who presented themselves as members of the Gaza internal security apparatus. When they broke into the NGOs offices, these persons did not provide their names. They did not have any documents from courts or any other authorized bodies that would enable them to lawfully search the NGOs offices. Al Mezan condemns these assaults against NGOs and views them with much concern. Al Mezan calls on the Gaza Government to initiate an investigation into these acts, ensure full respect of the law, and protect the right of NGOs to work freely.”
— “According to affidavits given to Al Mezan by persons employed by the NGOs, between 10am and 12am on Monday 31 May 2010, the Gaza Government’s internal security apparatus broke into four NGOs offices in the town of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip. The NGOs are: Sharik Youth Institution, Bonat Al-Mustaqbal (Future Builders) Society, the South Society for Women’s Health, and the Women and Children Society. The raiders searched the offices and made a list of the equipment and other belongings in the NGOs. Later, between 6pm and 8pm on the same day, a group of persons, who also identified themselves as from the internal security apparatus, went to the offices of the same NGOs and called the directors by telephone. They confiscated most of the equipment and belongings, including computers, faxes, cameras, part of the documents, reports as well as the keys to their doors. The security members informed the directors that their organizations were closed. They did not provide any reasons behind this decision.”
— “At approximately 3pm on Monday 31 May 2010, eight members of the Gaza internal security apparatus appeared at Sharik Youth Institution office in Gaza City. They searched the office and confiscated 18 laptops, two desktops, three digital cameras and three USB memory sticks. They also took some papers and lists of names. One of the Sharik staff members made a list of the confiscated equipment. He asked the security members to sign the list One of them signed; however, without writing his name on it.”
— “In a separate incident, at approximately, 8am on Tuesday 1 June 2010, a group of persons who identified themselves as from the internal security apparatus broke into and Palestinian Mini Parliament and the National Reconciliation Committee. They confiscated the keys to their doors and ordered them closed.”
— “Al Mezan views these assaults on NGOs and the way they were carried out without any respect to the law with great concern….Al Mezan asserts that attacks on NGOs violate constitutional rights under Article 26 of the amended Palestinian Basic Law. Article 26 of this law provides for Palestinians right to participate in public life, particularly by forming syndicates, unions, institutions, clubs and popular institutions.”

Hamas Security (Photo: AP)

Hamas Security (Photo: AP)

Sharik Youth Institution Sea Camp (Photo: Sharik Youth Institution)

Sharik Youth Institution Sea Camp (Photo: Sharik Youth Institution)

Sharik Youth Institution on International Women's Day (Photo: Sharik Youth Institution)

Sharik Youth Institution on International Women's Day (Photo: Sharik Youth Institution)