Palestinian group: Abuses by ruling groups increasing
Report says Hamas carries out extrajudicial killings, Fatah also using violence
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A Palestinian report shows human rights abuses by the rival governments in the West Bank and Gaza are on the rise.
The Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights said in its annual report Tuesday that incidents of abuse are up 10 percent since last year.
Director Ahmed Harb said, “Most of the complaints were on torture, mistreatment, preventing and dispersing public assemblies, preventing reporters from reporting or arresting them.”
The report said the rift between Palestinian factions is a main cause. Islamic Hamas militants ousted Fatah forces from Gaza in 2007 and took power. The Fatah-dominated Palestinian Authority rules the West Bank.
The report said there were seven extrajudicial killings of alleged Israeli collaborators in Gaza, and two Palestinians died in West Bank jails.
Palestinian officials were unavailable for comment.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.