![A man stands with his chest bared during clashes between Palestinian protesters and Palestinian security forces in the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, on June 26, 2021, following a demonstration against the death of human rights activist Nizar Banat while in the custody of Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces earlier in the week [ABBAS MOMANI/AFP via Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GettyImages-1233667607-scaled-e1624871384435.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
The Palestinian Authority’s security forces have been arresting rights activists in Ramallah for the third consecutive day, Lawyers for Justice announced yesterday.
“Among those arrested were the freed prisoner, Muhammed Allan, Ibrahim Abu Al-Ezz, and Loay Al-Ashqar,” the rights organisation said in a statement, adding that the arrests are creating a state of “chaos and absence of law.”
On Sunday, the PA’s security forces were reported to have prevented the organisation from holding a demonstration at the Al-Manara roundabout located in central Ramallah. They also reinforced their presence around the Al-Manara Square. and arrested all those attempting to start a protest.
Civil rights groups in the occupied West Bank have been holding regular protests in demanding the killers of activist Nizar Banat be brought to justice and for elections to be held in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Banat was a candidate for the Palestinian Legislative Council election which should have been held this year. The election was cancelled by PA President Mahmoud Abbas. Banat was killed by PA security forces in late June.
The PA’s response to the truth being exposed is to increase its violent repression