22 May 1996

NOTED HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST STILL IMPRISONED AND UNDER INTERROGATION BY THE PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY

Dr. Eyad Sarraj, Commissioner General of the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens' Rights (PICCR), appeared before a military judge of the State Security Court on 21 May, and his arrest was extended for an additional 15 days. The official explanation for extending his arrest was to prolong his interrogation. Until this time, he has not been formally charged, nor has he been interrogated concerning the charges leveled against him by General Prosecutor Khaled al Qidra of slander and libel.

Dr. Sarraj is a noted human rights activist in Gaza. In addition to his duties as Commissioner General of PICCR, he is also the director of the Gaza Community Mental Health Program. He was arrested on 18 May 1996, presumably after publication of an interview he gave to the New York Times on 6 May which was critical of the Palestinian Authority. The Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Palestinian Authority arrested Dr. Sarraj, denied him the right to see a lawyer during the first 48 hours of his detention, and neither he nor his family were notified as to the reasons for his arrest.

This is not the first time that those critical of the Authority have been arrested without charge by the Palestinian Authority. Dr. Sarraj was first detained on 7 December 1995, also without charge. Al Quds editor Maher Alami was detained in December 1995, and human rights activist Bassam Eid was arrested and detained in January 1996. LAWE views this pattern of arrests as establishing a precedent of the most dangerous kind, and as indicative of an Authority with little concept of basic freedoms, democratic action, or its responsibilities in upholding fundamental human rights.

Land and Water Establishment condemns the arrest of Dr. Sarraj in the strongest possible terms. We call for his immediate release, and for the Palestinian Authority to desist in the practice of arbitrary detention and in arresting those who speak in dissent.

To register your protest to Dr. Sarraj's arrest, please fax:

President Arafat: (972) (7) 822 366

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

General Prosecutor Khaled al Qidra: (972) (7) 824502/3

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