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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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11 February 2010

PRESS RELEASE: UK – Gaza demonstrators to face harsh sentences at tomorrow’s hearing

IHRC expresses concern that the Gaza demonstrators are set to face severe sentences at tomorrow’s hearing. Further sentencing hearings are to take place on the 19 and 26 of February, 2010. One man and two women have already been sentenced to between 15 and 20 months. IHRC is concerned that the defendants may face equally harsh sentences.

The focus on the demonstrators ignores police responsibility and its failures in managing the protests. IHRC, in a report (POLICING, PROTEST AND CONFLICT: A REPORT INTO THE POLICING OF THE LONDON GAZA DEMONSTRATIONS IN 2008 – 2009) on the policing of the Gaza demonstrations, has extensively documented the failings in police tactics and crowd management which resulted in exacerbating the situation. The detailed report provides pictures, witness accounts and evidence regarding the police failings and offers several recommendations for the police to consider in its future dealings with protestors.[1]

IHRC Chair Massoud Shadjareh states:

“We are disappointed that the heavy handed sentencing fails to consider that the mismanagement by the police, which the IHRC report on policing documents, was a major factor that lead to a volatile situation with the protestors against war crimes in Gaza.”

Notes to editors:

[1] POLICING, PROTEST AND CONFLICT: A REPORT INTO THE POLICING OF THE LONDON GAZA DEMONSTRATIONS IN 2008 – 2009 by Adam Majeed. 96 pages, ISBN 978-1-903718-37-7, £7, spiral bound, publication date 28 January 2010.

To download: Link

For more information please contact the Press Office on (+44) 20 8904 4222 or (+44) 7958522196, email: info@ihrc.org.[ENDS]

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The Islamic Human Rights Commission is an NGO in special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.

Islamic Human Rights Commission
PO Box 598
Wembley
HA9 7XH
United Kingdom

Telephone (+44) 20 8904 4222
Fax (+44) 20 8904 5183
Email: info@ihrc.org
Web: www.ihrc.org