November 19, 2001
Palestinian police prevent PCHR lawyers from visiting political detainees in Gaza Central Prison
Palestinian police prevent PCHR lawyers from visiting political detainees in Gaza Central Prison

 

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Palestinian police prevent PCHR lawyers from visiting political detainees in Gaza Central Prison

 

 

 

Ref: 70/2001

Date: 19 November 2001

 

This morning, Palestinian police prevented PCHR lawyers from visiting political detainees they legally represent. PCHR lawyers were informed by the administration of Gaza Central Prison that lawyers’ visits were prohibited by order of Major General Ghazi El-Jabalai, Chief of Police.

 

On 18 November 2001, PCHR lawyers submitted a request to the administration of Gaza Central Prison to allow the visitation of 19 political prisoners represented by PCHR lawyers. The request was denied. This measure came while PCHR lawyers have been preparing the detainees’ legal defense. Twelve of the detainees are scheduled to appear before the Palestinian High Court of Justice so that the judges consider PCHR’s requests to have the arrests declared illegal and the prisoners released. This measure also constitutes a violation of the detainees’ rights to receive appropriate representation and defense, in violation of Article 54 of the Law of Rehabilitation Centers (Prisons), which allows a lawyer to visit a detainee he represents upon a request by either of the two.

 

The 19 men were detained in a campaign of arrests waged by Palestinian police against leaders and activists of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), after it claimed responsibility for the killing of Israeli Tourism Minster Rehavam Ze’evi on 17 October 2001.

 

On Wednesday, 7 November 2001, the Palestinian High Court of Justice declared the detention of prominent PFLP activists Mr. Younis El-Jaru and Dr. Rabah Mahanna illegal and ordered their immediate release. The two were released on Thursday, 15 November 2001.

 

PCHR condemns the decision to deny political detainees their right to see their lawyers, and call for:

  1. Activation of Article 126 of the Penal Law 3 of 2001 by the Attorney General and heads of courts;
  2. The Palestinian Legislative Council to assume responsibility for questioning those who refuse to follow the principles of law; and
  3. The Palestinian Attorney General to immediately release political prisoners and put an end to political arrests, as they are illegal.