Press Release - November 01, 2001
Palestinian women organizations and activists are gravely concerned following verbal and physical assaults by Palestinian security forces on Palestinian women and children, families of political prisoners detained by the Palestinian Authority.
 
The attacks occurred on Tuesday, 30 October 2001 as families of political detainees were protesting against the illegal detention of their family members and demanding their immediate release. During a sit-in by families at the security headquarters of the Ramallah and Al Bireh Governorates, Palestinian security forces threatened the protestors with bayonets, beat them with the backs of their guns and subjected women to verbal sexual harassments. We view these assaults as a violation of the right to peaceful protest which are guaranteed by law and all international human rights agreements.
 
At a time when the Palestinian people are facing the crimes of the savage Israeli occupation and demanding that the international community oppose its attacks against Palestinian women and children, we unequivocally condemn such aggression against Palestinian women and children by the Palestinian security forces.
 
We affirm that we are going through a stage when every effort should be taken towards supporting our national cause and strengthening our unity in our efforts to end occupation. To achieve our national rights and bring an end to the Israeli occupation requires that we respect our own dignity and rights and we will never remain silent in the face of the violation of these rights, regardless of the perpetrators.
 
Palestinian women organizations and activists affirm that such assaults are absolutely rejected. We demand that the Palestinian Authority:
  1. Open a legal investigation into these assaults and prosecute those responsible. All perpetrators should be brought to court and every effort made to ensure that such aggressions are never repeated.
  2. Respect human rights and prevent any attack on citizens who are practicing these rights which are guaranteed by law.
  3. Immediately release all political prisoners held by Palestinian security forces and permanently end the practice of political detention.
Palestinian Women Organizations and Activists