BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian Center for Human Rights on Monday condemned measures taken by the government in Ramallah against activities organized by the Hizb ut-Tahrir movement a day earlier.

On Sunday, Palestinian security services imposed restrictions on demonstrations organized by the pacifist Islamist movement commemorating the 90th anniversary of the collapse of the Muslim caliphate.

In Hebron, more than 20 people were injured after being violently beaten by security officers, the group said. Others suffered from tear gas inhalation during the dispersal of what was a peaceful demonstration.

Palestinians have the right to peaceful assembly under the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments, the Gaza-based rights group noted. Yet, dozens of protesters were arrested and beaten.

In a statement, the group said it strongly condemned the actions of the security forces to interfere with the movement's right to have public and private peaceful assemblies, and the use of force.

The center added that civilians have a legal right to organize public assemblies and to organize peaceful demonstrations in accordance with the law, and the police cannot intervene except to control traffic.

According to the rights group and Hizb ut-Tahrir, PA forces also opened fire.

In response to the movement's allegations, PA security spokesman Adnan Ad-Dmeiri said forces did not open fire at any rallies, but the demonstrations were "chaotic and violated law in some cities."

Ad-Dmeiri told Ma'an on Sunday that Hizb Ut-Tahrir's "slander" of government forces was in line with the party's "refusal to recognize the Palestinian Authority, or its flag, anthem or law."

He added that the group created security chaos "under the pretext of their right to expression."

"They do not recognize any of the contents of the Palestinian political system and they want to use all that is granted under the Palestinian law guaranteeing freedom of expression to achieve chaos."

Source : maannews.net