PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Election Update No.6
Date: 19 January 2006

Violations of Electoral Campaigns Regulations

Accidental Killing of a Civilian in Rafah during an Electoral Gathering for
the Fatah Movement

On Wednesday evening, 18 January 2006, Bassel Kamel al-Sha'er, 20, from
Rafah, was killed accidentally by a live bullet to the head during an
electoral gathering. According to investigations conducted by PCHR,
al-Sha'er was killed when a live bullet was unleashed by accident from a gun
carried by an armed member of Fatah. A number of armed members had been
firing into the air during the electoral gathering for the Fatah candidates
in Rafah.

This incident came only a few hours after a declaration by Fatah and Hamas
in a press conference held in Gaza City that the two movements agreed to
remove all armed presence on the elections day. The two movements also
vowed that their members would not be involved in any actions that may
disrupt the election process.

It is worth noting that this has been the second incident of its kind since
the beginning of the election campaigns on 3 January 2006. On 4 January
2006, Rami Talal al-Dalu, 27, from Gaza City, was killed by gunmen following
quarrels between supporters of Fatah and Hamas in the al-Nasser neighborhood
regarding the hanging of posters and electoral banners.

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

"End"
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