A/HRC/19/20 bleeding. He went into a coma and died on 12 June 2011. In another case a man was detained by the internal security apparatus on 14 April 2011. He died in detention on 19 April. At the time of death the Ministry of Interior of the de facto authorities indicated there would be an autopsy. Later the same day the authorities announced that he had died of natural causes despite the fact that his body showed signs of bruises on the head and his ribs were broken. 3. Civil rights, including freedom of expression 13. The de facto authorities continued to curtail freedom of expression, opinion and assembly. In several cases, individuals participating in academic conferences or workshops outside of Gaza were detained or summoned for interrogation following their return to Gaza and in some cases threatened or illtreated.11 Public assemblies were also targeted. During the reporting period the de facto authorities‟ security forces used excessive force to disperse several peaceful assemblies. On 11 February 2011, following Friday prayers, several hundred people gathered in Khan Younis protesting against social injustice and calling for an end to the internal political rift. The de facto authorities‟ security forces, both uniformed and in civilian clothing, intervened. They beat several participants, detained those who had photographed their intervention, including a journalist, and confiscated their equipment or deleted their photographs. 12 In another incident on 15 March 2011, a public assembly in support of Palestinian unity was violently dispersed. At least 100 participants and observers were beaten, tents were destroyed and some 50 persons were detained. In the following days, other smaller demonstrations in support of Palestinian unity were violently dispersed, including one at Al Quds Open University. 13 14. The work of journalists continued to be disrupted by the de facto authorities‟ security forces. Journalists present at the public assemblies mentioned above had their cameras confiscated and in some cases were arrested and beaten. A few days after the 15 March protest, 12 de facto authorities‟ security personnel raided the offices of Reuters, destroyed equipment, beat two employees and confiscated a camera. In this case the de facto authorities announced that they had arrested four suspects and were initiating an investigation. In another case a journalist received a call from someone identifying himself as the head of the internal security apparatus in Khan Younis, who accused him of incitement against the de facto authorities and referred to a number of his articles as “provocative”. On 17 February 2011, the journalist was summoned for an interview with the internal security apparatus during which he was coerced to sign a document by which he made a commitment to act professionally and to refrain from acts of incitement against the government. 4. The death penalty 15. The de facto authorities continued to carry out executions and to issue death sentences. While international human rights law does not prohibit capital punishment, it limits it to the most serious crimes, which is interpreted to mean those where there was an intention to kill and which resulted in loss of life. Death sentences should only be issued following a trial in a court that offers the 11 12 13 6 OHCHR monitored at least two incidents, each involving several people. Case monitored by OHCHR. Case monitored by OHCHR.