ISRAEL/OT 'Adnan al-Hajjar, 33, lawyer, human rights defender
Lawyer 'Adnan Ibrahim al-Hajjar, who works for the Palestinian al-Mezan
human rights centre, was arrested by the Israeli security forces on 23
April. Amnesty International considers that he may be a prisoner of
conscience, arrested solely for his work in defence of human rights.
He is now held at Shikma Prison, in Ashkelon, Israel. Amnesty International
has received reports of torture or ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees
at Shikma Prison over the past months. Amnesty International is concerned
that 'Adnan al-Hajjar is reportedly detained without charge or trial, and
that his family have not been allowed to see him. On 30 April an Israeli
military judge remanded him in custody for a further 30 days.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Adnan Ibrahim al-Hajjar is the coordinator of the Legal Unit of the
al-Mezan Human Rights Centre in Gaza, which carries out research on
violations of economic and social rights of Palestinians by the Israeli
authorities. He was arrested at the Rafah border crossing, when he tried to
return from Egypt to the Gaza Strip, where he lives in the Jabalia refugee
camp. He had been part of a Palestinian delegation at a two-week legal
training seminar financed by the US government organisation USAID, which
funds a range of projects and training courses in many parts of the world.
The seminar was on "Empowering the Work of the Palestinian Legislative
Council", the main legislative body in the Palestinian Authority. The
seminar was organised by the Cairo-based Arab World Centre for Research and
Training.
Israeli media have suggested that 'Adnan al-Hajjar was arrested because he
has links with the militant Islamist leader 'Usama Bin Laden's
organisation. His interrogators apparently told 'Adnan al-Hajjar that they
have a secret file of evidence against him, and, if he has been accused of
links with 'Usama bin Laden, this would increase fears that he will be
tortured or otherwise ill-treated. However, his lawyer, who has been able
to visit him in prison, has stated that his interrogators have mainly been
questioning him about his work for the al-Mezan human rights centre.
Denying prisoners access to their families contravenes the basic principles
of international law, particularly Principle 19 of the Body of Principles
for the Protection of all Persons under any form of Detention or
Imprisonment, which states: "A detained or imprisoned person shall have the
right to be visited by and to correspond with, in particular, members of
his family and shall be given adequate opportunity to communicate with the
outside world, subject to reasonable conditions and restrictions as
specified by law or lawful regulations."
Rule 92 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners
states: "An untried prisoner shall be allowed to inform immediately his
family of his detention and shall be given all reasonable facilities for
communicating with his family and friends, and for receiving visits from
them, subject only to restrictions and supervision as are necessary in the
interest of the administration of justice and of the security and good
order of the institution."
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express/airmail
letters in English, Hebrew or your own language:
- asking the authorities to release 'Adnan al-Hajjar immediately and
unconditionally, as he appears to be a prisoner of conscience;
- expressing concern at reports that other Palestinian detainees have been
tortured or ill-treated during interrogation, and asking the authorities to
ensure that 'Adnan al-Hajjar is treated in accordance with international
standards;
- reminding them that while he is in custody 'Adnan al-Hajjar has the right
of access to his family.
APPEALS TO:
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon
Office of the Prime Minister
3 Kaplan Street, PO Box 187
Kiryat Ben-Gurion
Jerusalem 91919
Telegrams: Prime Minister, Jerusalem
Fax: + 972 2 651 2631
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
Uzi Landau
Minister of Public Security
Ministry of Public Security (Police)
Kiryat Hamemshala
PO Box 18182
Jerusalem 91181
Fax: + 972 2 584 7872
Salutation: Dear Minister of Public Security
Meir Shetrit
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
29 Salah al-Din Street
Jerusalem 91010
Fax: + 972 2 628 8618
Salutation: Dear Minister of Justice
Eli Yishai
Minister of the Interior
Ministry of Interior
2 Kaplan Street
PO Box 6158
Kiryat Ben Gurion
Jerusalem 91061
Fax: + 972 2 670 1628
Salutation: Dear Minister of Interior
Elyakim Rubinstein
Attorney-General
Ministry of Justice
29 Salah al-Din Street
Jerusalem 91010
Fax: + 972 2 628 5438
Salutation: Dear Attorney-General