12 June 1996

DR. EYAD SARRAJ ARRESTED AGAIN

HELD WITHOUT CHARGE, INSIDE REPORTS OF TORTURE

On the morning of June 10 Dr. Eyad Sarraj, well-known human rights activist, psychologist, and Commissioner General of the Palestine Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights (PICCR) has been detained for the second time in one month by the Palestinian Authority. He was arrested on one other occasion at the end of 1995.

On this occasion, like in the past, no charges have been presented against Dr. Sarraj. Until now his lawyer and his family have been denied permission to see him, and he remains incarcerated in a special, very small cell. Reports from inside the prison reveal that he has possibly been tortured and severely beaten, and has requested to see a physician. It is believed that Dr. Sarraj is in very bad condition, and his colleagues are frightened for his physical safety.

In the two previous arrests of Dr. Sarraj, his political outspokenness was cited as the reason for arrest (although he was never charged), provoking a national and international outcry. Concerning this most recent detention, Palestinian Authority Attorney General Khaled al Qidra has intimated, in interviews to the press, that Dr. Sarraj has been arrested on criminal charges, that his arrest "is not related to his human rights activities, the work of his association or his freedom of expression."

Land and Water Establishment views this third arrest of Dr. Sarraj with the gravest possible concern, particularly as he is being held again without charge. The Palestinian Authority, with Yassir Arafat at its head, has become an instrument of repression, little related to the "democratic authority" the recent Palestinian elections were meant to ensure. Indeed the concept of human rights has not found a place within Mr. Arafat's Authority.

LAWE demands the immediate release of Dr. Sarraj and an end to the practice of arbitrary detention without charge. LAWE calls on the international community to encourage the Palestinian Authority to respect basic human rights and to release Dr. Sarraj.

The international community is encouraged to fax its concern and opposition to the arrest of Dr. Sarraj to the following:

President Yassir Arafat: (972) (7) 822365/6

Minister of Justice Frieh abu Medein: (972) (7) 822236

Attorney General Khaled al Qidra: (972) (7) 824503

Land and Water Establishment is a Palestinian non-governmental organization, dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy. LAWE is also an affiliate member of the International Federation for Human Rights.