The IOF have been preventing candidates in Jerusalem from their right to campaign by arresting and assaulting candidates who were organizing a press conference to launch their electoral campaign.
Furthermore, a number of independent candidates and those representing different electoral lists such as Fatah, Independent Palestine, and The Third Way were also assaulted and stopped whilst campaigning on 3rd January 2006.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights condemns the IOF offensive which constitutes a breach to the right of candidates to deliver to the public their electoral programs.
According to Al Mezan, these Israeli violations constitute a serious attempt at rejection of the appeal made by the international community to secure participation of Jerusalemites in the electoral process.
The IOF offensive to impede progress of the electoral process is daily.
On 1st January 2006, the IOF assaulted Hamas candidates, arresting some of them.
Dr.
Hanan Ashrawi, candidate of the Third Way and Dr.
Mustafa Al Barghouti of Independent Palestine were both prevented from campaigning in Jerusalem.
Al Mezan hereby calls upon the Central Elections Commission (CEC) to take the necessary measures in order to promote public participation in Jerusalem and to secure the right of candidates to maintain equal electoral campaigns.
Furthermore, it calls upon the international community to exert pressure on Israel to halt the IOF offensive against the progress of the electoral process in Jerusalem and the West Bank in general.
Allowing appropriate conditions and environment for candidates and electors to participate in the electoral process necessitates a vital and immediate intervention by the international community to release Palestinians from this premeditated IOF aggression.
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