The Independent Commission for Human Rights - ICHR
85
Table 1: Number of complaints: 2017-2021
Year
Total
West Bank
Gaza Strip
2017
53
16
37
2018
46
38
8
2019
18
3
15
2020
29
29
0
2021
40
35
5
Compared to 35 in 2016, the total number of complaints filed in 2021 indicates a rise (up to 29) in
violations of the right of peaceful assembly in the West Bank.
2.1.5.4 Patterns of violations by complaint
Violations of the right to peaceful assembly totalled 51 (41 in the West Bank and 10 in the Gaza
Strip). All of an overtly political character, patterns of violations reported in the complaints filed to
the ICHR included ban on or dispersal of peaceful assemblies, involving detention of or assault on
some participants.
In the West Bank, while 38 were dispersed, two peaceful assemblies were blocked. Participants
were arrested in 25 peaceful assemblies. Protestors in another 24 assemblies were physically assaulted. In the Gaza Strip, nine peaceful assemblies were dispersed. Protestors were prevented from
holding a peaceful assembly. Participants were detained and physical assaulted in eight and four
peaceful assemblies respectively.
Patterns of abuses of the right to peaceful assembly were no different in 2021 than in 2020. Violations were essentially of a political nature and mostly targeted peaceful assemblies demanding an
adequate standard of living. Common patterns of impingements usually involved prevention and
dispersal of, or physical assaults on and/or detention of participants in, peaceful assemblies.
Twenty Seventh Annual Report 2021