Amnesty International on  Wednesday issued a report  sharply condemning the abuse of human rights by both the Palestinian Hamas and Fatah factions.

The 58-page report stated, “Unprecedented levels of political violence between Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip during the past year took a heavy toll on the civilian population and compounded the devastating impact of Israeli occupation and military campaigns, causing a further deterioration in living conditions and prompting greater international isolation.”

Amnesty said that 350 people died and 2,000 were wounded in inter-factional clashes  during the first half of 2007.  Many of the dead and injured were civilians.

Fatah and Hamas security forces and militias committed “grave human rights abuses and displayed a flagrant regard for the safety of the civilian population,” the organisation stated. 

Both sides killed captives and abducted members of rival groups, engaged in street battles that imprisoned civilians in their homes, and set up roadblocks restricting civilian movements.

Amnesty was critical of Hamas’ violent take-over of the Gaza Strip in June and of President Mahmoud Abbas’ decision to suspend operations of the Palestinian Authority police and administration which has created an institutional vacuum. Members of the security services and civil servants who report for duty do not receive their salaries. 

Hamas security forces and militia continue to target Fateh activists and clans affiliated with this faction.
Hamas reacts to dissent by imposing repressive measures. Abbas’ security forces in the West Bank attack and abduct Hamas members and supporters and close down businesses and charities associated with the movement.
Both factions arrest people on the basis of suspicion and torture detainees.  While Hamas does not hold captives for long, it is estimated that Fatah has imprisoned 1,000 West Bankers not accused of any crimes.

The Fatah-dominated security forces have also failed to crack down on the faction’s Aqsa Brigades militia which is guilty of murder, hostage-taking, arson and other crimes.  Although Abbas decreed the abolition of all armed groups, no action has been taken to disband this militia.

Amnesty called on both sides to end abuses and restore the rule of law and asked the Palestinian Authority to end impunity and depoliticise the security services and administration.  The organisation recommended that the international community halt all arms deliveries to both parties until “guarantees can be secured that such equipment will not be used to violate human rights and international humanitarian law” and ensure that emergency assistance is never used to “further political goals.”

In particular, the organisation asked on the west to refrain from imposing sanctions that punish the population of Gaza living under de-facto Hamas rule.

Finally, Amnesty asked the international community to “ensure that Israel, as the Occupying Power, fulfils its obligation to provide for the protection and welfare of the Palestinian population and refrains from imposing sanctions which violate their human rights.”