PRESS RELEASE The Palestinian High Court issued a decision to suspend the decision of the Acting Council of the Palestinian Bar Association against Human Rights Lawyers Ref.,: 65/2000Date: 17^th May, 2000 On 17^th of May 2000, the Palestinian ?High Court held a session to examine the legal representation of the seven lawyers against the decision of the Acting Council of the Palestinian Bar Association which removed their names from the roll of practicing lawyers. The High Court issued a preliminary decision  requesting the Acting Council to clarify the reasons of such a decision within eight days. Moreover, the High Court ordered the suspension of the implementation of the Acting Council’s decision. The following is the list of the seven lawyers concerned: 6 are from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights and one works for the Women Centre for legal consultation. 1.       Raji Sourani2.    Iyad Al Alami3.       Ibrahim Sourani4.       Fouad Tarazi5.       Hanan matar6.       Asharaf Nasralla7.       Hanan Bacri The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights expresses its deep satisfaction with the High Court decision,  which positively reflects its stands for the independence of judiciary.   PCHR reaffirms that it will take the necessary legal action against the Acting Council of the Palestinian Bar Association whose legal existence has expired since 9^th May 2000. In addition, PCHR supports all the sincere efforts amongst Palestinian lawyers to preserve and promote the independence and professional ethic of their Bar Association and to continue the battle against all the illegal actions of the Acting Council in systematically postponing the holding of elections.

               

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