Five years after the victory of Hamas in legislative elections, the Islamist government led the life difficult for NGOs based in Gaza. Those who do not comply with the rules of Hamas are simply closed.
In the town of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, a sign indicates the path to the clinic of the French organization Doctors Help. "They forgot to remove it," says Jamal Aid, administrative head of the French organization. Jamal is not here for several months. Since the clinic was closed on the orders of the authorities, June 16, 2010. Inside, there is nothing left. All medical and computer equipment was seized, worth over 6,000 euros. Only a few boxes and a poster Doctors Help hint at the previous activity. "We must act quickly," warns Jamal Aid. It is not good to roam around NGOs arbitrarily closed by Hamas.
's Adventure Help Doctors began during the Israeli operation "Lead Cast in the Gaza Strip in December 2008. A team from the French organization was there. Three months after the end of the war, opened a clinic for the management of chronic diseases and diabetes. Help Doctors will carry nearly 5,000 consultations a year. All treatments, medications and tests are free for patients.
Fatihiya, a Palestinian from Khan Yunis who was treated for his diabetes, bitterly regrets the clinic.
"I do not understand. The clinic did not cost the government nothing and rendered service to the public. There were also Palestinians who worked in the clinic. The government must support these NGOs and do not close them. I do not forgive those who have this. "
Now Fatihiya treatment from private doctors. A 500 shekel consultation (about 100 euros), it does not even know how she will pay for medicines.
"After the closure," says Jamal, I asked the government: "Where will these patients go?" They said: "They just back where they came '."
Administrative problems, lack of specialist doctors ... There are many reasons given by Hamas to close the clinic.
"They are false, ensures Jamal. I went to see them to prove them wrong, they never listened. "
According Régis Garrigue, president of Help Doctors, the Ministry of Health wanted to impose his personal medical care and themes .
"There was no question for us to become operator of the Ministry of Health to fund a clinic linked to the government."
A relative freedom
Help Doctors is not an isolated case. According to the advocacy organizations Human Rights, Hamas would have closed authoritarian 200 NGOs in recent months.
"It is difficult to know the official position of Hamas toward NGOs, says Issam Younis, General Director of Al Mezan Center for Human Rights in Gaza. Some are closed illegally, as suggested by the case of Help Doctors, others work freely as ours. "
Doctors Without Borders says it does no problems. If, today, MSF has only two instead of four clinics in Gaza, only "because of reduced requirements and the number of wounded," said Jean-Luc Lambert, Head of Mission MSF in the Palestinian territories. We cry out loud our independence and neutrality. We are 100% funded by private funds and we are working with the Ministry of Health in Gaza. " The reputation of the organization and its presence in Gaza for ten years assured him a relative freedom.
The rules Hamas
So the government is going after smaller organizations such as NGOs Sharek Youth Forum. June 1, 2010 in Gaza city, uniformed men enter the premises of the Palestinian association and requisition all equipment staff, computers and hard drives. Six months later, the government resolves the closure of the NGO. Reason given: they found sexual content in the employees' computers. "False," retorted Muhammad, one of the employees Sharek.
"This is the official version of Hamas. In reality, it would prohibit us to organize joint activities. The second reason is that Sharek is a partner of UNRWA (United Nations Office for Palestine Refugees) at summer camps. However, Hamas is organizing its own summer games and takes a dim view of those of UNRWA, [where girls and boys participate activities of drawing, painting, dance, singing, swimming, etc. ....]. But he can not blame UNRWA. So he attacks us. "
Since last December, Sharek is prohibited activities in the Gaza Strip. Only remnant of the organization: a large sign that still clings to the walls of the old offices in Gaza City.
"Hamas controls the Gaza Strip, said Issam Younis, General Director of Al Mezan. It is undeniable. It's like a logical one party. "A party that makes it necessary to bend to its guidelines. " Nobody can say that is free and independent in Gaza "certify Régis Garrigue, president of Help Doctors. Only Hamas lays down the rules of the game "A
ambiguous game that speaks volumes about the policy of Hamas, from the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. The population of Gaza and the government is constantly demanding international humanitarian aid. seen in the numbers of humanitarian vessels that have sailed into Gaza in recent months. Yet, NGOs based in the coastal territory has been denied activities. (...)
http://www.slate.fr/story/34315/gaza-hamas-ong-interdites-humanitaire
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