PRISONER DECLARED CLINICALLY BRAIN DEAD AFTER BEATING

BY PALESTINIAN COASTAL POLICE

30 July 1996

Today, Mahmoud Jamal Jumyal, a political prisoner detained by the Palestinian Coastal Police in al Juneid prison, was pronounced clinically brain dead following a savage beating by Coastal Police at the prison. The beating caused massive bleeding in the brain from a fractured skull, and instigated a cardiac arrest. Nassir Juma'a was also attacked at the same time. His condition is known to be grave, and he remains under the custody of the Coastal police and in solitary confinement in al Juneid.

Mahmoud Jumyal, 26 years old, worked as an inspector for the al-Mahraq Insurance Company. In mid-December 1995, he and Nassir Juma'a were ordered by the Mukhabarat (secret police) to report to the Jericho detention facility for questioning. The two went, and never came back. They were held without charge and never tried, and questioned about supposed involvement with the Fatah Eagles. On several occasions Mahmoud instigated hunger strikes to demand his release. His family visited him regularly in Jericho, the last of which was on 26 July.

On the day of 26 July, his family was informed that he and Nassir had been transferred to the Coastal Police section of al Juneid Prison in Nablus. On the same day, LAWE - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment was informed that Mahmoud had been sent to the Rafidiyye hospital in Nablus. Khader Shkirat, director of LAWE, went to the hospital on that day, where he was informed that the prisoner had been transferred to the hospital in Ramallah. Mr. Shkirat went to Ramallah, where he was denied permission to see the patient. On 28 July, Mahmoud's family was informed by the Palestinian police, at 11:00 at night, that their son had been admitted to an unspecified hospital. The distraught family went first to Rafidiyye hospital in Nablus, where they were informed that their son had been admitted under a false name, that of Ahmed Said Sabbah. Then the family went to the hospital in Ramallah, where they finally saw him late at night on 29 July. The family was not informed as to his true medical condition.

At 1:30 pm today, Khader Shkirat again visited Mahmoud. Mr. Shkirat reports that multiple lacerations are visible all over his body, and his chest is deeply bruised. He appears to have been branded with a hot iron instrument, leaving two centimeter burns on his chest. Both hands and his ankles have been wounded, apparently by wire. Mr. Shkirat was informed that he had initially been admitted to the hospital in Nablus after having sustained a massive cardiac arrest. While at the hospital, they discovered a fractured skull and extensive bleeding in the brain. After resuscitation, Mahmoud was transferred to the facility in Ramallah. At this moment, the hospital is providing supportive treatment in an effort to keep Mahmoud's body alive.

Nassir Juma'a is reported to be in critical condition, both physically and psychologically. His family is deeply concerned about his health and current safety.

LAWE - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment cannot find words adequate to describe how horrific it sees this crime. LAWE extends its most heartfelt condolences to the family of Mahmoud Jumyal, and expresses its gravest concern over the whereabouts and well-being of Nassir Juma'a. LAWE promises to pursue this case, and every other violation of the most basic human rights, to the fullest extent. The armed forces of the Palestinian Authority have proven themselves completely outside normal standards of conduct, and capable of the grossest brutality. They must be made accountable. LAWE will help pursue this goal, and calls for the establishment of a Committee of Inquiry.

Please fax immediately your condemnation of this brutal act, and your demand that all political prisoners held without charge, be released without delay. Send your faxed letters of intervention to: President Arafat: (972) (7) 822365/6, Minister of Justice Frieh abu Medein: (972) (7) 822236, and Attorney General Khaled al Qidra: (972) (7) 824503.

LAWE - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment is a non-governmental organization which seeks to defend human rights through legal advocacy. LAWE is also an affiliate member of the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights. LAWE, PO Box 20873, Jerusalem, Tel: (972) (2) 812364, 824559, fax: (972) (2) 811072, email: lawe@netvision.net.il.