The United Nations human rights chief on Thursday urged the Palestinian Authority to ensure the safety of protesters after security forces and supporters of PA President Mahmoud Abbas attacked demonstrators last weekend.
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The protests erupted after Nizar Banat, an outspoken critic of the PA, died shortly after his family says he was severely beaten by security forces who arrested him. The PA, which governs parts of the West Bank, has grown increasingly autocratic and unpopular in recent years.
Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said Palestinian security forces had used force against initially peaceful protesters, "including beating them with batons and firing teargas and stun grenades."
The statement said she was concerned about "the presence of large numbers of non-uniformed people acting in a seemingly organized and coordinated manner" with the Palestinian forces.
"During one of these protests, one of our staff members monitoring it was punched and pepper-sprayed by a person in civilian clothing," Bachelet said. "Many people, including journalists and human rights defenders, were similarly assaulted."
She said women appear to have been singled out, whether they were protesting or reporting for the media or were just bystanders, with many reporting being sexually harassed.
There was no immediate comment from the PA. More protests are expected this weekend.
Bachelet called on authorities "to ensure freedom of opinion, expression and peaceful assembly," and said that the security forces must "provide safety and security for the exercise of human rights."
"Any unnecessary or disproportionate use of force must be promptly, transparently and independently investigated," she said.
Human rights groups say Abbas regularly arrests critics. A Human Rights Watch official said Banat's arrest was "no anomaly."
Abbas and the PA reject accusations they are corrupt and that they arrest people for their political views.
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The EU delegation to the PA tweeted earlier this week that it was "shocked and saddened" by Banat's death and called for a "full, independent, and transparent investigation." The UN's Mideast envoy, Tor Wennesland, said the "perpetrators must be brought to justice."
The US State Department echoed those calls. In a statement, it expressed "serious concerns about Palestinian Authority restrictions on the exercise of freedom of expression by Palestinians and harassment of civil society activists and organizations."
