Ref: 94/2020

Date: 23 September 2020

Time: 18:15 GMT

On Tuesday, 22 September 2020, medical sources at Beit Jala Governmental Hospital announced the death of detainee A.A.Q (49) after he was transported to the hospital. Police spokesperson, Colonel Loay Erekat, issued a brief press statement affirming the Public Prosecution and the police are investigating the death of a detainee at the Bethlehem Police Station prison without further details on the incident.

PCHR expresses its deep concern over the recurrence of deaths inside Palestinian prisons and detention centers under different circumstances.

According to PCHR’s investigations, Palestinian police detained A.A.Q, from Surif village, northwestern of Hebron, who lived at al-Saf St. in Bethlehem, on 20 September 2020 on a civilian complaint (returned checks). The case was presented before a court in Bethlehem on Tuesday, 22 September, where his wife provided documentation proof that A.A.Q suffered mental health issues and demanded his release for fear he might commit suicide. However, the court extended his detention based on a counter-proof presented by the Public Prosecution from a different psychiatrist who confirmed the detainee was not suicidal and that his detention does not risk his life. On Tuesday evening, the detainee was found hanging, using a pillowcase, at the detention cell at Bethlehem police station. He was transferred to Beit Jala Governmental Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The late A.A.Q was a member of Fatah movement, and member of a regional committee, who had been imprisoned by Israel several times. It should also be noted that he battled with depression for a long period.

PCHR highlights that life of persons detained in prisons and detention facilities falls within the responsibilities of the Ministry of Interior and Prison Service according to the Reform and Rehabilitation Centers Law No. 6/1998, according to Article 7, “… the inmates in any Center shall be deemed to be under legal detention in the custody of the Center’s Director.” PCHR reiterates that the Public Prosecution and detention facilities are responsible for the lives and safety of prisoners.

Hence, PCHR demands the Attorney General investigate the circumstance of death and for the public release of investigation results.