Ref: 64/2013
Date: 17 June 2013
Time: 10:00 GMT
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) denounces the degrading search by anti-drug police of a lawyer in Bethlehem in presence of a member of the Public Prosecution. PCHR calls upon the Attorney General and the government in Ramallah to respect and protect the human dignity.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR and testimony of the victim, on Tuesday, 22 June 2013, the aforementioned lawyer was stopped while driving his car with the company of a friend at a security checkpoint on Bethlehem-Jericho road. An anti-drug force arrived, searched the lawyer and his car and took him to the police station, where he was searched again and the made to strip for further searching. The lawyer said:
“I was stopped at a checkpoint and my car was searched. I was then taken to the police station, where a captain ordered me to take my pants off. I told him that I had been searched and I would not take my clothes off. As a result, he threatened me that he would forcibly take my clothes off. While debating, he said that there was a complaint against me that I had marijuana with me. I told him that I need a representative from the Bar Association or public prosecution. He said that they would bring Mr. Yehya Adawi. Prosecutor Adawi came and I tried to convince him that the complaint was not true and I carried no drugs. The captain in return convinced Adawi that they had information about me carrying drugs. The captain and Adawi went out to discuss the issue and returned. Adawi told me that I should be thoroughly searched and take all of my clothes off. I requested him to refer me to forensic medical examination, but he confirmed that he had been practicing his authority and that was part of routine practices. I had my underwear taken off by an officer of the anti-drug police, who ordered me then to sit down and stand up thrice. The search was over, and they found nothing.”
It should be noted that the Bar Association denounced the incident in a press release on 13 June 2013. It pointed out that the degrading treatment the lawyer received undermines the human dignity and the legal profession. The Bar Association called for prosecuting all those responsible for what had happened.
PCHR emphasises that searching and interrogating the lawyer is unacceptable unless by the knowledge and presence of the president of the Bar Association or whoever represents him according to article (20-d and e) of the Legal Profession Act 1999. In addition, PCHR emphasizes that the police have the right to search under a permit from the prosecution, but this right should not be abused in a manner that humiliates a person’s dignity or violates the civilians’ privacy. The naked search is degrading and must not be
resorted to, because it violates the international standards and conventions. In light of this, PCHR:
