Ref.,: 75/2003

On Thursday, 29 May 2003,
the Israeli military court in Erez will hold a session to consider the case of Dr.
Fadel Abu Hain, after the Israeli military prosecution had prepared a bill of
indictment against him, although he did not confess the charges he is accused
of, which include the possession of weapons, leaflets and unlicensed
declarations. 

Dr. Abu Hain and 19 members
of the family were arrested by Israeli occupying forces that invaded
al-Shojaeya neighborhood in Gaza city on 1 May 2003.  He, Yasser Abu Hain, a journalist, and Ussama
Abu Hain, a student, have remained in custody, while
the others were released later. 

Dr. Abu Hain had been
interrogated for more than two weeks, during which he was subjected to methods
of torture, including Shabeh and sleep
deprivation. 

The Israeli military
judiciary approved an order issued by the head of the Israeli military southern
command to place Yasser Abu Hain under a 6-month administrative detention
without any charge.  Abu Hain is detained
in the Negev Desert prison.  In the
meanwhile, Ussama Abu Hain is being interrogated in Ashkelon prison. 

As part of the legal aid it
provides for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, PCHR has authorized lawyer
Tamim Younis to defend the abovementioned detainees. 

PCHR is deeply concerned
about the continued detention of the three Palestinians, and reiterates its call
upon relevant international organizations to immediately intervene to ensure
the immediate release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.