Press Release
27 January 2006

Hamas Topples Fateh: Human Rights to Face a New Challenge

As the world reels from the shock of Hamas' victory over Fateh, human
rights policy in Palestine has arrived at a pivotal juncture. For the
first time in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Palestinian
Authority must navigate a democratic transfer of power. Election
observers from around the world were impressed by the organization of
the election, which was fair and democratic and boasted a 77.69% voter
turnout. Now, Fateh must relinquish control of the PLC to the victors in
a more difficult test of democratic verity.

Hamas has shown positive signs in conducting a smooth transfer of power,
moderating its platform and offering to partner with Fatah in the new
government. However, on Thursday Fatah negotiator Saeb Erekat spoke for Fatah, announcing that Fatah would not cooperate with the new
government. Also on Thursday, an exchange at the Palestinian legislative
building was the first violent clash between the two parties. Hamas
supporters tried to attach their party flag to the building, and when
Fateh supporters tried to prevent the action, the two groups threw rocks
at each other and fought in the street. On Friday, Fateh demonstrations
in Gaza escalated to violence and calls for the expulsion of Abu Mazen
from the country.

The election results and the resulting events will have two main
implications for human rights. First, Hamas' win will reveal their true
commitment to change and reform. Having been elected by virtue of the
Oslo agreements, if Hamas wants to accept its win it will also have to
accept the precepts of Oslo, namely the recognition of Israel. As for
Fateh, which has already accepted the terms of Oslo, the indignation of
its loss will have to be tempered into a working cooperation with its
democratically elected partner. Violence and further human rights
violations by Fateh will only hasten the demise of human rights
standards in Palestine.

For both parties, the Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group requests
their commitment to not only Oslo, but to International Humanitarian Law
as well. For Hamas, this means making clear their intent to enforce
human rights and the rule of democracy, which handed them Wednesday's
election victory. For Fatah, this means honoring the election results
and partnering with Hamas in the new parliament. Human rights already
suffers under the Israeli Occupation, and can no longer afford to suffer
under the elected government of the Palestinian Authority.

Public Relations Officer

admin@phrmg.org


The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group (PHRMG) is a Palestinian,
independent, non-governmental organization working to end human rights
violations committed against Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip,
and East Jerusalem, regardless of those responsible. The members of the
Monitoring Group believe that the strength of democracy and civil
society in Palestinian society will be determined by the Palestinian
people, through their defense or neglect of human rights.

Ahmad Jaber House
Beit Hanina
East Jerusalem, Israel
Tel: 972-25-583-8189
Fax: 972-25-583-8189
http://www.phrmg.org

Reproduced by permission of IMRA, Independent Media Review and Analysis, Israel.
 
http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=28298