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Rights group calls for inquiry into abuses by PA security forces

21:45 May 7 2014 Yatta

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BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian Center for Human Rights on Wednesday called on the Attorney General to open an investigation into alleged abuses by PA security forces in the Hebron town of Yatta earlier this week.

According to PCHR, PA preventive security forces stopped a car in in Yatta on Monday for raising the Hamas flag.

Seven members of the Abu Fanar family were traveling in the vehicle to a solidarity event for a relative Zaid Ismail Abu Fanar, who is currently being held in administrative detention by Israel.

The officers ordered the passengers to exit the vehicle, at which point the driver, Mohammed Awdatallah Abu Fanar, 22, drove away, leading to a chase with security officers.

The officers hit Mohammed's vehicle several times from behind until he crashed into a wall, at which point officers took him from the car and started kicking and beating him with their rifles.

Mohammed's wife attempted to intervene and was pushed away by officers, causing her to faint, PCHR said.

The PA security officers then fired into the air to disperse a crowd who had tried to intervene.

Later in the day, PA security officers raided the home of Ismail Abu Fanar, whose son is in administrative detention, and assaulted him with a torch.

The officers also fired live shots in the air to disperse visitors who were visiting a solidarity tent set up at the home.

In another incident documented by the group, PA security officers from the PSS, the National Security Force, and Special Police raided the Fatouh area in Yatta accompanied by a bulldozer.

Hana Saher Awad was assaulted by officers after they raided his home without a warrant.

"PCHR calls upon the government in Ramallah to take serious steps to compel members of security services to respect the rule of law and human rights principles that are guaranteed under the Palestinian Basic Law and international standards," the group said.

The group urged the attorney general to open a "serious investigation" into the incidents.
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