Press Release

13 August 1998
Press Release Index
RE: THE DEATH OF WALID QAWASMEH IN A DETENTION CENTER IN JERICHO ON 9 AUGUST 1998.
On Monday, 9 August 1998, 51 year-old Walid Mahmud Mohammad Qawasmeh died in a Jericho detention center. Palestinian Security Services contributed the cause of his death to the recent heat wave. Prior to his death, Mr. Qawasmeh had been hospitalized in Jericho. At the time of his death, he was being transferred from Jericho Hospital to Nablus.
The General Palestinian Security Services arrested Mr. Qawasmeh in Hebron on 24 July 1998. After four days, he was transferred as an administrative detainee to Jericho. His family requested to visit him on 2 August 1998, but was unable to do so until 7 August 1998 when they were allowed a short visit under the supervision of members of the General Security Services. According to the testimony of the family, clear indications of mistreatment and torture were visible at the time of the meeting.
According to al-Haq's documentation, seven Palestinian administrative detainees have died in detention. Torture, mistreatment, or improper medical care are the suspected causes of their deaths. Al-Haq fears that deaths in detention will continue unless prisoners are treated in accordance with those requirements specified under international and humanitarian law.
Al-Haq is concerned by the mysterious conditions surrounding the death of Mr. Qawasmeh and demands the following:
  • The immediate release of the autopsy report on Mr. Qawasmeh's death.
  • That an immediate and prompt investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest, detention and death of Mr. Qawasmeh be undertaken by an independent legal body and that the results of this investigation be made public in order to strengthen the principles of transparency, openness and public accountability.
  • Based upon the results of the investigation, that any individual responsible for human rights violations or excess, whether relating to this particular event, or to the work of the security forces in general, must be prosecuted in accordance with sound and public legal procedures.
  • That the Palestinian National Authority compensate the families of the detainees whom died while in administrative detention.

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