82 The Independent Commission for Human Rights - ICHR Statement by A. K., a university student in Gaza My name is A. K. I am a 21-year-old resident of the Az-Zaytoun neighbourhood, Gaza. I am an activist and third-year English literature student at the Al-Azar University. At about 8:30 am on 21 September 2021, while entering the university gate (northern gate of the eastern campus), I was putting on the Palestinian Keffiyeh. A University Police officer in dark blue uniform stopped me. Nicknamed A. A., he was the Director of the University Police unit. He demanded that I put off the Keffiyeh because it was forbidden to wear it on campus. “Is that is a charge?” I asked. Meantime, some 10 officers gathered around and started to be beat me with their fists and batons. For five minutes, I was assaulted inside the University Police room. He tried to force me to sign a pledge to not put on the Keffiyeh, but I declined. After they had seized the Keffiyeh, they took me out of the room. Then, I entered the university campus. That was what happened to me. On my way out of the room, they beat me with their fists on my body. I should note that I always wear the Keffiyeh. I do not take it off. 2.1.4.6 Replies of relevant agencies to complaints Based on the complaints it received in the Gaza Strip, the ICHR sent letters to the agencies claimed to have committed violations. The ICHR received replies to all letters, including eight verbal and four written responses. All replies denied the validity of the claims made in the complaints. Often replicating a generic pattern, these replies are seen as stereotypical by the ICHR. In the West Bank, the ICHR contacted the agencies that allegedly perpetrated the abuses in question and received replies to 20 complaints, including 12 written and eight verbal. The Commission did not receive any replies to the rest of complaints. It is possible to argue that all replies from relevant bodies were detailed and stated reasons for the measures taken against complainants. On the other hand, replies typically and principally denied the validity of complaint. In general, these replies can be characterised as stereotypical. 2.1.4.7 Policies, measures and actions taken to protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression Based on ICHR monitoring, relevant government bodies did not make any policies or take any new measures or actions to protect the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The sole exception was the provision of the Presidential Decree No. 5 of 2021 on the Promotion of Public Freedoms. 2.1.4.8 Accountability for violations of the right to freedom of opinion and expression In the West Bank, the ICHR sent letters to relevant government agencies to inquire about accountability mechanisms applied by these bodies to persons who violated the right to freedom of opinion and expression. According to the reply the ICHR received from the MoI Human Rights Unit, no Police or security personnel were held to account for any abuse of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The ICHR also communicated with relevant criminal accountability institutions in the West Bank. A reply from the Public Prosecution stated that 66 cases involved stirring up sectarian or racial strife, of which 38 were remitted to the court, 18 were dismissed, and 10 were still under investigation. The Public Prosecution also reported that it was examining 93 cases of disparagement of public authorities (by electronic means). While 79 cases were referred to the court, 11 cases were dismissed The Situation of Human Rights in Palestine