December 7, 1995
Leading Human Rights Activist Arrested by the Palestinian Police
Leading Human Rights Activist Arrested by the Palestinian Police

Dr Sarai Released

Dr Iyad Saraj was released at 21:30 hours (19:30 hours GMT), this evening, Thursday 7 December 1995, following a meeting with the Attorney-General, Khalid Al Khidrah. It seems that no charges were or will be brought against Dr Saraj.

Leading Human Rights Activist Arrested by the Palestinian Police

Published @ 18:00 GMT/7 December 1995

Dr Iyad Saraj, a leading human rights activist in the Gaza Strip was arrested today by the Palestinian Police and continues to be held without charge. No official reason has been given for his detention and it remains unclear when he will be released.

Today, Thursday 7 December 1995, at 13: 00 hours local time (11: 00 hours GMT) a Captain from the Palestinian Police attended the office of Dr Iyad Saraj at the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme. The officer asked Dr Saraj to accompany him to meet with Talal Abu zaid, Head of the Criminal Investigations department of the Palestinian Police.

Dr lyad Saraj accompanied the officer to the Palestinian Police Heaclquarters in Rimal, Gaza City- He was detained at Police Headquarters from this time onwards.

No official accusation or charge has been made against Dr Saraj, and it is unclear whether such a charge will be made against him. However, it appears the arrest comes in the light of his criticisms of the human rights record of the Palestinian Authority and, in particular, his criticisms of the Attorney-General Khalid Al Khidrah, at a conference held yesterday at the Shawa Cultural Centre-

Dr Iyad Saraj is a leading human rights activist in the Occupied Territories, based in the Gaza Strip. He iS the Head of the Gaza Community Mental Health programme and the Human Rights Commissioner of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizen’s Rights, a post he took over from Dr Hanan Ashrawi in September 1995.

Dr Iyad Saraj was last seen at 19:00 hours (21:00 hours GMT) sitting in the Police Headquarters and there remains no indication of when he will be released.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights condemns his arrest and regards it as a significant unacceptable step. we call all human rights organisations and those bodies concerned with the rights of the Palestinian people to respond strongly to this outrage and call for his immediate release.