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1 February, 2007
Mr. Mahmoud Abbas
President
President’s Office
The Palestinian Authority
Brussels, 31 January 2007
Dear President,
On behalf of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Unions, the Global Union Federation representing 20 million workers in the Mine, Energy, Chemical and related Process Industries I strongly condemn the rocket attack on the house of Deputy Secretary General of the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), Rasem Al Bayari.
The ICEM has been informed by the ITUC and PGFTU that gunmen attacked Mr. Al Bayari’s home at 2.15 am on 29 January 2007. The gunmen fired two rockets against his house, destroying the doors and the entrance to the building. Mr. Al Bayari and his family only survived the attack as they were asleep on the upper floor of the residence.
At 2.30 am yesterday shots and bombs were again fired at the house, which is now completely damaged, leaving Mr. Al Bayari and his family without proper shelter. Mr. Al Bayari now fears for his life, but unfortunately he and his family have had to stay in their house with only a small number of security people for their protection.
The attacks on Mr. Al Bayari’s home are grave violations of fundamental human and trade union rights. The ICEM is especially concerned about the very grave threat to the safety of Mr. Al Bayari and his family.
The Palestinian Authority, as a responsible Authority, must uphold internationally recognised rights, including full respect for fundamental human rights of workers, such as their right to life.
The ICEM urges you to immediately ensure the safety of Mr. Al Bayari and his family and prevent further attacks on his home. We urge you to order a thorough investigation into the rocket attacks and the shooting, to bring the perpetrators of this serious crime to justice and to ensure proper compensation to Mr. Al Bayari and his family for the destruction of their home.
Yours sincerely,
Manfred Warda
General Secretary
President
President’s Office
The Palestinian Authority
Brussels, 31 January 2007
Dear President,
On behalf of the International Federation of Chemical, Energy, Mine and General Workers Unions, the Global Union Federation representing 20 million workers in the Mine, Energy, Chemical and related Process Industries I strongly condemn the rocket attack on the house of Deputy Secretary General of the Palestine General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU), Rasem Al Bayari.
The ICEM has been informed by the ITUC and PGFTU that gunmen attacked Mr. Al Bayari’s home at 2.15 am on 29 January 2007. The gunmen fired two rockets against his house, destroying the doors and the entrance to the building. Mr. Al Bayari and his family only survived the attack as they were asleep on the upper floor of the residence.
At 2.30 am yesterday shots and bombs were again fired at the house, which is now completely damaged, leaving Mr. Al Bayari and his family without proper shelter. Mr. Al Bayari now fears for his life, but unfortunately he and his family have had to stay in their house with only a small number of security people for their protection.
The attacks on Mr. Al Bayari’s home are grave violations of fundamental human and trade union rights. The ICEM is especially concerned about the very grave threat to the safety of Mr. Al Bayari and his family.
The Palestinian Authority, as a responsible Authority, must uphold internationally recognised rights, including full respect for fundamental human rights of workers, such as their right to life.
The ICEM urges you to immediately ensure the safety of Mr. Al Bayari and his family and prevent further attacks on his home. We urge you to order a thorough investigation into the rocket attacks and the shooting, to bring the perpetrators of this serious crime to justice and to ensure proper compensation to Mr. Al Bayari and his family for the destruction of their home.
Yours sincerely,
Manfred Warda
General Secretary