Election Update No.9

Date: 21 January 2006

Violations of Electoral Campaigns Regulations

Accidental Injury of a Child Attending an Electoral Gathering in Gaza

On Friday afternoon, 20 January 2006, Mohammed Bassam Shuhaiber, 11, from Gaza City, was injured by a live bullet to the abdomen during an electoral gathering.  According to investigations conducted by PCHR, Shuhaiber was attending an electoral gathering organized by Fatah in the al-Sabra neighborhood in the east of Gaza City, when a member of Fatah fired gunshots into the air.  One of the bullets hit the child, who was evacuated to a hospital in the city.  Soon after, the child's family destroyed a car belonging to the member of Fatah, who is believed to be responsible for the shooting and also beat him.  PCHR also discovered that the suspected shooter is a member of the security services. 

It is worth noting that Palestinian gunmen, including members of the security services, do not hesitate in opening fire during electoral rallies and gatherings organized in the streets and public sites, thus threatening the lives of civilians.  The latest victim of such shootings during electoral rallies and gatherings was Bilal al-Sha'er, who was accidentally killed by a bullet, when gunmen opened fire into the air during an electoral gathering in Rafah. 

PCHR calls upon all candidates and their supporters not to employ weapons during elections campaigning, including rallies and public gatherings, and to maintain the peaceful nature of the campaigns.  PCHR also calls upon security officials to comply with the election campaigns regulations and remain neutral during all phases of the election process.  

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