PCHR
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
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.

"End"

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Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
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