Ref: 39/2009

Date: 19 March 2009

Time: 11:30 GMT  

PCHR Condemns Intimidation by Security Officers against

West Bank Judge

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the intimidation of a judge by members of the Palestinian National Security Forces (NSF) Judge Fawaz Ibrahim Nizar ‘Atiya, Deputy Chief of Justice of the Bethlehem Initial Proceedings Court, was held at gunpoint and insulted by the NSF on 18 March. PCHR calls upon all relevant bodies in the Government in Ramallah to investigate this incident and to bring all those responsible before the courts.  

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, and Judge ‘Atiya’s testimony, at approximately 09:45 on Wednesday, 18 March, the judge was traveling in his private car to his workplace at Bethlehem Initial Proceedings Court. En route, he stopped at an intersection to avoid a possible car accident. A local traffic warden asked Judge ‘Atiya for his ID card. When the warden identified ‘Atiya, he allowed him to proceed. However, a person wearing civilian clothes, who was later identified as a member of the Palestinian National Security Forces (NSF) briefly intervened. He contacted his chiefs and claimed that the judge was driving an illegal car.

When Judge ‘Atiya was about to arrive at court, members of the NSF intercepted him and attempted to escort him to the main security compound. One of the security officers contacted his superior, who instructed him to take the judge to the security compound. The judge refused to cooperate, and insisted on traveling to the court, but was escorted by a NSF vehicle. When he arrived at court, seven security officers held him at gunpoint. A security officer insulted him before the court police intervened and escorted the judge into the court.

PCHR strongly condemns the intimidation of the Judge Fawaz ‘Atiyta by members of the National Security Forces, and:

1)      Stresses this intimidation represents an attack by the executive authority against the judicial authority, and undermines the status of the judiciary.  

2)      Emphasizes that the intimidation was clearly aimed at humiliating the judge.  

3)      Calls upon concerned authorities in the Palestinian government in Ramallah to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators before the courts.  

4)      PCHR calls upon the relevant authorities in the Palestinian government in Ramallah to establish clear codes of conduct for security officials and to strictly regulate the scope of their powers.