128 number of these figures assume leading and senior positions in the non‐ governmental and civil organizations.”158 Human rights organizations demanded the Government in Gaza Strip clarify its position towards the official statements issued by the Interior Ministry and to apologize to the non‐governmental and civil society organizations, due to the fact that these statements included unacceptable abuse, and suspicion about their role.”159 On 24/05/2010, the Internal Security Service in the Gaza Strip prevented the Independent Commission for Human Rights “Grievances Council” from holding its workshop, which was scheduled to be held in Gaza City, in cooperation with a national campaign to defend freedoms. A number of members of the Internal Security Service arrived at exactly ten o'clock in the morning to the venue of the workshop and told the receptionist about the ban and their decision to not allow the workshop to be held, but without giving reasons.160 During the month of August 2010, there emerged a clear attack on human rights defenders. The attack was exemplified by members of the Reform and Change Block in the Gaza Strip in discussing ICHR’s draft law and its passage and formally publishing it in the “Gazette” of the Gaza Strip in December 2010, in an attempt to prejudice ICHR and its work at the level of the Gaza Strip.161 On 26/08/2010, ICHR issued a statement clearly demanding “the retraction of the Reform and Change Bloc on its decision being referred to, and cessation of all measures that would prejudice ICHR and its work.” Additionally, ICHR held a press conference, during which the Commissioner General, Dr. Mamdouh Aker and the Executive Director, Ms. Randa Siniora, clarified ICHR’s clear and frank position of this step. On 12/08/2010, ICHR issued a statement on the eve the Reform and Change Block was to ratify ICHR’s draft law in the first reading, clearly demanding PLC members in Gaza to retract their decision. 158 http://pngoportal.org/arab/Article2272.html For further information, see the statement of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights: http://www.pchrgaza.org/portal/ar/index.php 160 For more information, see ICHR’s statement published on its website: www.ichr.ps 159 161 The Change and Reform Bloc (Hamas Bloc) is only one of the PLC parliamentary blocs, and the passage of the law was not in an ordinary session of the PLC. Although illegal, it entails that the Government in Gaza can take over the premises of ICHR in Gaza and formulate a new national institution in the Gaza Strip.