Press Release

21 October 1999

Al-Haq, West Bank affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists-Geneva, has received information from the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) based in Geneva that the Israeli Authorities in cooperation with the South Lebanon Army between July 20-22, 1999, arrested five Lebanese citizens from the Ayat Al- Sha'b village in South Lebanon, two of whom are minors. These citizens are:

1. 'Ali Khalil Surur - a 20-year-old university student.

2. Samih Surur - a 23-year-old police employee.

3. Muhamad Musa Radha - a 25-year-old worker.

All detainees were transferred to Khaim Detention Centre located in South Lebanon, which is under Israeli occupation. There is grave concern that these detainees are being subjected to torture, given the harsh conditions of this detention centre. Previous detainees in the same prison have given testimonies of being subjected to all kinds of torture, including beatings, exposure to electric shocks, submersion of their heads under cold and hot water, and other methods. No charges were leveled against these three detainees nor were they given the right to see a defense lawyer.

Al-Haq perceives these arrests as illegal, especially that the basic rights of those detained stipulated by the International Bill of Human Rights, and in particular the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, were violated. The Universal Declaration and International Covenant emphasize the need to protect all persons from being subjected to torture, and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Moreover, they emphasize the need to refrain from making arbitrary arrests and the need to inform the accused of the charges brought against him/her and to give the detained the right to see a lawyer.

In view of the fact that the territory where the arrests were made are occupied, the Israeli Authorities should abide by the provisions and principles of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949 and its Articles 42, 43, 68, and 78. Article 147 stipulates punishment of those who flagrantly violate the Convention's provisions and principles.

Furthermore, torture and other acts that undermine the human dignity are banned by the Israeli security bodies following a decision from the Israeli High Court of Justice in its session convened on 6 September, 1999. The Court's nine judges banned the torture of Palestinian detainees by the Shabak. Al-Haq sees that this decision does not only apply to Palestinian detainees but also to any detainee arrested by the Israeli Authorities. Furthermore, Israel ratified the Convention against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1991.

Al-Haq, in accordance with the resolutions and provisions of the International Bill of Human Rights and the principles of the Fourth Geneva Convention, demands:

1. Israel guarantees the physical and psychological integrity of the three detainees and allows them immediate access to legal counsel and medical care.

2. The immediate release of the five detainees if they are held in detention without any valid charges, or, in the event that they have been charged, bring them immediately before a competent and impartial tribunal and guarantee their full procedural rights in conformity with the international human rights standards.

3. Israel guarantees all human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards.

Thus, Al-Haq seeks immediate intervention to release the five detainees. This would be in conformity with the need to promote respect for human rights and to preserve the basic freedoms of human beings by not subjecting them to any violation that would undermine their dignity. Moreover, to punish those who may have violated these rights. Al-Haq has sent letters to the Israeli authorities demanding immediate action be taken.