A/HRC/31/40 Enforcement Officials, it is required that arbitrary or abusive use of force should be punishable as a criminal offence. 64. On 18 September 2015, near the Azza refugee camp, Bethlehem, the Palestinian National Security Forces used live ammunition, tear gas and stun grenades against demonstrators throwing stones. They reportedly assaulted some of the young men in their custody with batons.43 The use of live ammunition in the absence of imminent threat to life or serious injury, and the violence against detainees are inconsistent with the international obligations of the State of Palestine, notably under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Although the Prime Minister and the Commander of the Palestinian National Security Forces promptly announced the establishment of two committees to investigate the Bethlehem incident, accountability for instances of excessive use of force generally remains rare. 65. On 23 May 2015, GIS officials in Jenin shot a man in the leg after having restrained him. His brother was severely beaten to the extent that his genitals were crushed and required partial surgical removal. The brothers filed a complaint with Military Intelligence, but OHCHR was informed that the victims were repeatedly pressured to withdraw their complaint because the main GIS official they accused is a senior Fatah leader. OHCHR is not aware of any investigation into the incident. 4. Freedom of expression 66. OHCHR has received reports of violations of the right to freedom of expression, particularly regarding people critical of the Palestinian Authority leadership. The case of Lama Khater, a writer known for supporting Hamas, is emblematic. She and her family have been subjected to repeated threats and harassment by the security forces for her writing and her organization of peaceful demonstrations. One instance monitored by OHCHR took place late at night on 22 March, when Ms. Khater’s house in Hebron was raided by GIS. They did not show any arrest or search warrant. They allegedly used force against Ms. Khater’s husband and detained him for one night. 67. Information received by OHCHR indicates that Palestinian security agencies appear to be monitoring Palestinians’ social media activity. OHCHR documented some cases where journalists and civil society activists were threatened or arrested for comments made online criticizing the Palestinian leadership. Such harassment and unlawful restrictions have a general chilling effect on freedom of expression. 5. Death penalty 68. No executions were reported between 1 November 2014 and 31 October 2015, in accordance with the President’s policy. However State prosecutors continued to seek death sentences and courts issued them in two cases. On 11 January 2015, the Permanent Military Court in southern West Bank condemned to death for treason a 27-year-old man from Jenin. On 16 September 2015, the Ramallah Court of Appeal sentenced a man to death for murdering his sister-in-law and her two children, after a successful appeal by the prosecution. As of November 2015, both cases were under appeal. 43 14 See video published by Middle East Eye. Available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOpsGV6isc&feature=youtu.be.