Ref: 154/2014
Date: 13 November 2014
Time: 11:45 GMT

The Palestinian Center for Human rights is concerned over the detention of the head of the Public Employees Syndicate in the West Bank and his deputy and the events that followed, including the arrest of several syndicate members and the forceful dispersal of a peaceful demonstration they organized. In addition, an arrest warrant was issued against the Secretary of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) because of his union work. PCHR calls upon the Palestinian government to immediately release the detained syndicate members and cancel the arrest warrant. PCHR further asserts that the right to form workers’ unions and practice the right to peaceful demonstration are guaranteed under the Palestinian Basic Law and with international human rights standards.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, after Ramallah Magistrate Court dismissed the case filed by Ahmed Majdalani, former Minister of Labor, against Bassam Zakarna, head of the Public Employees Syndicate in the Palestinian Authority, in its session held on 3 November 2014 because the requirements of the lawsuit were not met, the syndicate announced resumption of its usual works in the ministries and public institutions. On Thursday evening, 6 November 2014, the Palestinian police in Ramallah summoned Bassam Zakarna (46) and his deputy Mu’in ‘Ansawi (42). They were detained until Sunday morning, 09 November 2014, and they were then brought before the public prosecution. They were questioned about their syndicate’s work, and were accused of “affiliation with an illegal association.” The public prosecution extended their detention for 48 hours. They appeared before the public prosecution for a second time the next day, and their detention was extended for an additional 15 days. In the meantime, members of the Preventive Security Service arrested Muhammad Basem Hussein (30) and a number of members the syndicate on 08 November, after a demonstration was organized before the courts complex in Ramallah in solidarity with the head of the syndicate and his deputy.

In another development, on Wednesday, 12 November, an arrest warrant was issued against Ibrahim Khreisha, Secretary of the PLC, following a press conference in which he expressed the PLC members’ condemnation of the violations of rights and freedoms, including the right to form work unions which is guaranteed by the Palestinian Basic Law and international standards and instruments. Khresiah also announced that the PLC members would start an open hunger strike in protest against the detention of the head of the Public Employees Syndicate and his deputy. Khreisha has resorted to the PLC headquarters and refused to go to the police station considering his summoning procedures arbitrary.

It should be noted that the Public Employees Syndicate decreased the work hours in ministries and associations by an hour daily. Lately, they hinted to the possibility of escalating their protesting measures unless all their demands are met. On Sunday, 09 November 2011, the Council of Ministers issued a decision binding all government workers to assume the responsibilities of their job. Since that date, all workers have complied with the decision.

In light of the above:

1. PCHR calls for the immediate release of the head and member of the Public Employees Syndicate, and stresses that their detention and extension of their detention were arbitrary and violated the law.
2. PCHR emphasizes that the public prosecution is the only body that has the authority to issue arrest warrants, while the so-called “arrest warrant according to the President’s instruction” constitutes an infringement of the President’s authorities and a violation of the principle of separation of powers.
3. The right to freedom of opinion and expression is guaranteed under Article 19 of the Palestinian Basic Law, which states: “Freedom of opinion may not be prejudiced. Every person shall have the right to express his opinion and to circulate it orally, in writing or in any form of expression or art, with due consideration to the provisions of the law,” and according to Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
4. PCHR asserts that the right to freedom of association is guaranteed under the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights instruments.
5. PCHR emphasizes that the right to organize strike is guaranteed under the Palestinian Basic Law and relevant international standards.