Ref: 86/2009
Date: 08 July 2009
Time: 10:30 GMT
Individuals’ Passports Requisitioned
to Prevent Them from Traveling
The
Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) is gravely concerned by the
Palestinian security services in the Gaza Strip’s seizure of passports
belonging to a number of individuals. It is believed that these measures are
intended to prevent the individuals from traveling, a violation of the right
to freedom of movement. PCHR calls upon the Government in Gaza to halt such
practices which constitute a violation of the Palestinian Basic Law and
international human rights standards.
The latest
complaint received by PCHR in this regard relates to travel restrictions
imposed on Zeinab Ibrahim al-Wazeer, 57, Undersecretary of the Ministry of
Education, and her husband, Mousa Ahmed al-Wazeer, 58, an advisor in the
Ministry of Finance. The individuals’ passports and ID cards were seized,
and they were prevented from traveling to Jordan to receive medical
treatment.
PCHR
investigations indicate that at approximately 10:30 on Tuesday, 7 July 2009,
Palestinian security officers stationed near Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing in
the northern Gaza Strip prevented Mrs. Zeinab al-Wazeer and her husband from
traveling through the crossing. Officers from the Internal Security Service
(ISS) took their passports and ID cards and informed them that they are on
the list of people who are prevented from traveling. They also requested
the couple to report to the ISS's office in Gaza City. Mrs. Zeibal al-Wazeer
was on her way to Jordan for medical treatment and her husband was
accompanying her.
PCHR has
followed up the complaint since Tuesday with concerned bodies in the
Ministry of Interior, but the documents have not been retrieved due to
procrastination by some officials and the unclear procedures followed by
security services in this regard. In the past PCHR has successfully
followed up a number of similar cases, and retrieved the passports of seven
individuals.
In light of
the above:
1)
PCHR emphasizes
that the right to freedom of movement is ensured under articles 20 and 28 of
the Amended Basic Law and under international human rights standards.
2)
PCHR calls upon
the Government in Gaza to take necessary measures to ensure the
non-recurrence of such illegal practices.
