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Press Release - January 9, 1996

FAIR ELECTIONS IN JEOPARDY

Urgent Call to Release Thamin Badah

Land and Water Establishment expresses its concern over the arrest by the Palestinian Mukhabarat of Palestinian People's Party Campaign Manager Thamin Badah, from Salfit.

Members of the PA security forces entered the People's Party headquarters in Salfit at 2:15 pm on 8 January, arrested Mr. Badah and remanded him to the Mukhabarat's facilities in Jericho. On 9 January, a lawyer from Land and Water Establishment called the Mukhabarat, who verified that Mr. Badah was indeed detained at the police headquarters there. Shortly thereafter a police representative called LAWE's office, to say that no press release should be published on the arrest of Mr. Badah, that he had not been arrested because he was active in the political opposition, but that there were "reasons of national security".

Following the arrest of Mr. Maher al Alami, editor of Al Quds newspaper, and the detention of Mr. Basem Eid, a prominent human rights activist, this arbitrary detention of another activist in the political opposition further highlights the contempt for democracy and fair elections displayed by the Palestinian Authority. The vague and undefined reason for arrest seems to be a thinly veiled rationale to justify the ongoing arrest of opposition to the PA.

LAWE demands the immediate release of Mr. Badah, and calls on all human rights organisations and organisations involved in monitoring the elections to condemn this kind of arbitrary detention, and to appeal for his release.

Violations of the Electoral Law

Recently in Kufer Deeq, a Sheikh (a religious leader, and head of the local mosque) was asked his opinion about Mr. Hamis al Hamed, People's Party candidate, during a political meeting held in the area. The Sheikh expressed his opinion that no-one should vote for this candidate. Because of the influential position held by religious leaders in Palestine, the Palestinian electoral law forbids political campaigning in religious areas (like mosque or church). Implied is that religious leaders should refrain from political campaigning against certain candidates. Article 58 details the restrictions on electoral campaigning.