PCHR Condemns Arrests of Supporters of Islamic Movements in the West Bank

Ref: 62/2009

Date: 12 May 2009

Time: 10:00 GMT  

PCHR Condemns Arrests of Supporters of Islamic Movements in the West Bank

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) condemns the Palestinian security services continued arrest campaign against supporters of Islamic movements in the West Bank. PCHR is concerned that detainees, including children, are subject to torture during interrogation and/or detention. Additionally, it is believed that detainees are threatened with re-arrest and torture if they provide information regarding their interrogation. PCHR reiterates its call for the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and security services in Ramallah and Gaza to stop arbitrary arrests and torture, to immediately release all political detainees, and to put an end to political arrests.

PCHR’s investigations indicate that, in the past few days, Palestinian security services have arrested several members and supporters of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and at least one member of Islamic Jihad, ‘Aamer Abu Khalil, from ‘Attil village north of Tulkarm. The campaign has targeted Imams of mosques, teachers, university professors and students and journalists. The following is a list of detainees in various districts in the West Bank:

Nablus

1)      Ja’far Mohammed Raihan, 38;

2)      Mohammed As’ad Raihan, 23;

3)      Khaldoun Yousef ‘Assida, 28;

4)      Rajeh Mohammed ‘Assida, 30;

5)      Ahmer Nember ‘Assida, 22;

6)      Mahmoud Ibrahim ‘Assida, 24;

7)      Mahmoud Saqer ‘Assida, 24;

8)      Bassel Yousef Yamin, 23;

9)      Saleh Subhi Eshtayeh, 27; and

10)  Nadeem Sbaih Hamayel, all from Til village south of the city; and

11)  Bahaa’ al-Din Tayel Hamad, 24, from ‘Ainabous village south of the city.

Jenin

1)      Majdi Safwat Yassin, 28, from ‘Aanin village;

2)      Ziad ‘Abdul Rahman Nazzal, 25, from Qabatya village;

3)      Khalil Ibrahim al-Hajj, 30, from Jalqamous village; and

4)      Firas Ahmed Abu Shadouf, 28, from Bourqin village.

Qalqilya

1)      ‘Abdul Nasser As’ad Ghanem, 37; and

2)      Rashad Lutfi Sawan, 37, both from Ematin village; and

3)      Ameer Mohammed Dahbour, 28; and

4)      Mohammed Tayseer Radwan, 30, both from ‘Azzoun village.

Tubas

1)      Mohammed Mithqal Abu ‘Erra, 30, from ‘Aqqaba village.

Tulkarm

1)      ‘Alaa’ Ibrahim al-Natour, 25;

2)      ‘Alaa’ Ahmed Rajab, 27;

3)      Anas al-Hussari;

4)      Tha’er ‘Olayan, 25;

5)      ‘Ammar Naji Sabha, 40;

6)      Mohammed Eshtaiwi, a journalist (released); and

7)      Islambouli ‘Othman Budair, (released).

Salfit

1)      Hussam ‘Abdullah Ma’touq, 26.

Hebron

1)      Dr. ‘Adnan ‘Abdul Hamid Abu Tibbana, 41;

2)      Diaa’ Hani al-Sa’id, 23;

3)      Ameen ‘Aashour, 20;

4)      Rami Abu Doush, 20; and

5)      Mohammed Abu Doush, 22.

PCHR reiterates its condemnation of torture, and all politically motivated arrests, and:

1)      Highlights the Palestinian High Court of Justice ruling of 20 February 1999 which considered political arrests illegal; and calls upon all executive parties to respect the Court ruling and refrain from conducting illegal political arrests.

2)      Reminds that the prohibition of torture forms a jus cogens norm of international law. It is prohibited under the Palestinian law and constitutes a serious violation of international human rights standards and instruments, especially the Convention against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 1984. 

3)      Affirms that all forms of detention under the Palestinian Law are the mandate of judicial warranty bodies, represented by the civil police, working under instruction and supervision of the Attorney-General.

4)      Calls for the immediate release of all political detainees held by security services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.