A/HRC/16/71 51. Following the killing of four Israeli settlers in the Hebron district (see para. 49 above), Palestinian security forces launched a campaign during which hundreds of Palestinians were reportedly arrested. Two days after the attack, it was reported that members of PSS and the Mukhabarat had arrested at least 350 persons.66 In addition, ICHR reported that more than 126 Palestinians were subjected to ill-treatment and torture, inflicted by Palestinian security agencies, from February to October 2010.67 52. OHCHR received information that, following this wave of arrest human rights, nongovernmental organizations and ICHR did not have the same level of access to Palestinian detention sites as they had before the campaign. OHCHR also experienced difficulties obtaining access to places of detention following these events, which it had not experienced prior to the campaign. However, following a number of constructive meetings with the Ministry of Interior, access to detention facilities was made easier. 7. Restrictions on civil society in areas under Palestinian Authority control 53. It appears that a consequence of the tension between the de facto authorities in Gaza and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank is intense pressure on civil society organizations, human rights defenders and journalists in the West Bank. Palestinian Authority security forces raided media institutions and prevented journalists from carrying out their work, in violation of international law and the Palestinian Basic Law. 54. On 17 July, Palestinian security forces raided Watan television station, while covering a march by an Islamic party. Two journalists employed by the same station were attacked by Palestinian Authority security forces while covering a march in Ramallah on 25 August.68 The radio station “Bethlehem 2000” manager was arrested by the Mukhabarat on 15 November, after the station had reported on differences between the president of the Palestinian Authority and a member of Fatah’s Central Committee. He was released five days later.69 In another case, PSS arrested a journalist working for Quds Press News Agency. During detention, he was interrogated regarding interviews he had conducted with members of Hamas.70 It is noted that staff members of ICHR were harassed by Mukhabarat officers in May, while travelling to visit PLC members in Nablus.71 V. Conclusions and recommendations 55. The human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory remained of profound concern throughout the reporting period. Serious violations occurred on a widespread and persistent basis. The preponderance of such violations was attributable to acts or omissions by Israel. With regard to international humanitarian law, Israel continued to fail to fulfil its obligations as the Occupying Power. 56. Serious violations of international human rights also occurred due to acts or omissions of other duty bearers, namely the Palestinian Authority and the de facto authorities in Gaza. Furthermore, the de facto authorities in Gaza violated 66 67 68 69 70 71 Al-Haq, press release, 2 September 2010. Available from www.alhaq.org/etemplate.php?id=542. See ICHR, monthly reports. Available from www.ichr.ps/etemplate.php?id=12. Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms, press release, 26 August 2010. Available from www.madacenter.org. “Political divisions make reporting nearly impossible for journalists”, International Freedom of Expression Exchange, 22 November 2010. Palestinian Center for Human Rights, press release, 6 October 2010. Available from www.pchrgaza.org. ICHR, press release, 30 May 2010. Available from www.ichr.ps/etemplate.php?id=202. 15