PRESS RELEASE

Released @ 11:00 hours GMT, 30^th October, 1998

Massive Wave of Arrests of The Islamic Opposition Groups

Yesterday afternoon (Thursday 29^th October 1998), the Palestinian security apparatus began a massive wave of arrests which included tens of leaders, members and supporters of the Islamic Resistance Movement and the Islamic Salvation Party in the Gaza strip. In addition to this, Sheikh Ahmed Yessin, the founder and the spiritual leader of Hamas, was placed under house arrest and his telephone lines were cut, which disconnects him to the outside world.

This wave of arrests came just few hours after the suicide bomb attack, in which an Israeli soldier was killed on the road leading to the Gush Katif chain of settlements in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian Security Forces began their extensive activity yesterday in the Gaza Strip. Patrols of security apparatus went to arrest tens of leaders and members of Hamas and the Islamic Salvation Party whose names are on their lists of targetted people. Those who were not at their homes were issued a summons to come immediately to the Headquarters of the Security Forces, where all those arrested were being held. Until the time of issuing this communique, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) knew of tens of people who had been arrested. This includes the house arrest of Sheikh Yessin. The state of house arrest is according to the emergency regulations of 1945, which were issued during the British Mandate of Palestine. The Mandate issued this law at that time to surpress the Palestinian national movement. It is known as one of the most aggressive laws widely used by the Israeli occupation.

Among the most prominent prisoners are:

1 Dr. Mahmoud Al-Zahar (Prominent Islamic activist)

1. Sheikh Ahmed Bahar (the Head of the Shura Council of the National Salvation Party)

1. Engineer Ismail Abu Shanab (Chairman Of Engineering Association and Hamas leader)
2. Dr Mohammed Shehab (member of National Salvation Party)
3. Faraj Al-Awl (Advocate, member of National Salvation Party)
4. Dr Atallah Abu Al Sidah (member of the Shura Council of National Salvation Party)
5. Sheikh Ahmed Nimr Hamdan (one of the most prominent Islamic activists)
6. Dr Maher El-Ghazaly (Chairman of “ Mabarrit Al-Rahman” Association)
7. Dr Younis El-Astal (Lecturer at the Islamic University)
8. Dr Ibrahim El-Yazouri (one of the prominent Islamic activists)
9. Dr Soleiman El-Deya (Lecturer at the Islamic University)
10. Ismail Hanniyah (prominent Islamic activist)

While PCHR understands the Palestinian Authority’s commitment vis a vis the security of Israel according to the Oslo agreements, the Centre would like to highlight the following:

1. PCHR expresses its deep concern regarding this latest massive wave of arrests by the Palestinian Security Forces. Moreover, PCHR calls the Palestinian Authority (PA) to stop this arbitrary campaign of arrests on the Islamic opposition and calls for the PA to act according to the rule of law.
2. The Centre expresses its concern about the possibility of bringing many of those arrested to the state security courts, which was established with the blessing and support of the American Administration.
3. PCHR views these arrests as a critical breach of human rights, especially civil and political rights and the right of freedom of expression.
4. The Centre finds the American Administration responsible as a complete partner for any human rights violations in the OPT (including PA areas), especially in implementing the Security Plan, which is part of the Wye Plantation agreement.