116 in the Gaza Strip. Many writers and people who tried to express their opinion have been arrested or beaten or brought before trials. On 10/11/2010, the Internal Security Service of the Interior Ministry in Gaza Strip summoned Dr. Ibrahim Abrash, a Palestinian writer and political analyst and a lecturer at Al‐Azhar University in Gaza City. He was asked to sign a pledge that he would not criticize the Government and Hamas Movement, and not do anything to incite activities, whether in writing or statement. He was held for four hours and was then allowed to leave. Dr. Abrash was summoned three times during November 2010.138 He filed a complaint to ICHR demanding it review the Internal Security Service for having been summoned and detained on the background of his writings and his essays, which constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression under the law. III ‐ The Right to Freedom of Religion and Religious Rights The right to belief and religion is intrinsically linked to freedom of thought and conscience; the human conscience carries meanings, values, ideals, and private beliefs that determine its relationship with its surroundings. And therefore, this right is fundamental and essential and there should be no opportunity or reason to deprive the human being of it or restrict it. Therefore, it is protected by international conventions and national laws for its paramount importance. During 2010, ICHR has noted complaints received on the restriction of the right to freedom of belief. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom to manifest religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and education, individually or in community with others and in public or alone.” The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Article (18) states “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This includes the freedom to have or adopt a religion, and freedom to profess any religion or belief of his choice, and freedom 138 According to the complaint submitted by the above‐mentioned to ICHR.