Ref: 86/2007

Date: 09 August 2007

Time: 12:00 GMT

PCHR Calls for the Immediate Release of Dr. Jum’a El-Saqqa

PCHR strongly condemns the detention of Dr. Jum’a Hilmi El-Saqqa (49), the Director of Public Relations in Shifa Hospital, this morning by members of the Executive Force. The Centre calls for stopping all forms of illegal arrests that are part of power struggle between Fatah and Hamas. This power struggle has affected the work and performance of all governmental institutions, including Shifa Hospital.

Information acquired by PCHR indicate that Dr. Basem Na’im, the Minister of Health in the dismissed government in Gaza, issued a decision on 7 August 2007 suspending Dr. El-Saqqa from his work, and referring him to the Ministry Legal Advisor for questioning on administrative violations. However, at approximately 1:30 on Thursday, 9 August 2007, the Executive Force detained El-Saqqa from his house in Shuhada Street in Gaza City. The detention took place after the Executive Force delivered a summons to Gaza Central Prison to Dr. El-Saqqa.

PCHR’s lawyer visited Dr. El-Saqqa in the “General Activity Department in the Executive Force” in Gaza Central Prison this morning and requested that the party responsible for the detention to consider Dr. El-Saqqa’s health condition, noting that his wife informed PCHR that he suffers from  problems in his arteries.

PCHR condemns Dr. El-Saqqa’s detention, and:

–               Calls for his immediate arrest noting his official capacity, and for stopping all forms of illegal arrests.

–               Affirms that all forms of detention regulated by Palestinian Law are the authority of law-enforcement persons in the form of the civilian police, who receive such orders from and are supervised by the Attorney-General.

–               Renews the call for the Attorney-General and the civilian police to return to work in the Gaza Strip in order to uphold civilians’ rights.