2 April 1997

Yesterday, an attorney for LAW - the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment visited Megiddo prison where over 230 Palestinian administrative detainees have been held for more than a year without charge or trial. The detainees reported to LAW's attorney that tensions are extremely high as a result of the continued extensions of their illegal detentions. Two weeks ago, the detainees demonstrated in the prison to protest the extensions, and Israeli soldiers responded by firing rubber bullets, tear gas, and sound bombs at the detainees. Several sound bombs exploded near the detainees' tents (where they are housed), which ignited and destroyed seven tents. Dozens of detainees were injured from the tear gas inhalation and several were beaten on the way the hospital. All the prison leaders resigned in protest of the violent response by the Israeli soldiers.

Detainees informed LAW's attorney that, despite the commander's clear orders to the soldiers to restrain themselves, "all the ingredients are present for further violence." Megiddo houses 700 prisoners and approximately 300 armed Israeli soldiers. In the last two weeks, Israeli soldiers twice threatened the detainees with live fire.

Yesterday, at least three Palestinian detainees had their detentions extended for another half year: Ahmed Qatamish, married and the father of a seven year old daughter received his ninth extension and has now entered his fifth year in administrative detention; Khalid Deleishe married and father of three young daughters, received a his seventh extension and is now entering his fourth year in administrative detention; and Imad Sabaa, father of a one year old daughter, received his fourth extension and is now entering his 19 months of in administrative detention. In the last two weeks, 15 more Palestinians were sent to administrative detention.

The detainees are demanding an immediate end to their detention.

LAW calls on the Israeli government to release immediately all the Palestinian administrative detainees and put an end to the unlawful practice of prolonged imprisonment without charge or trial. LAW believes that the release of the administrative detainees will serve as a positive confident building measure to restore faith on both sides in the Oslo Agreements.

LAW - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment is a non-governmental organization, dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy. LAW is also an affiliate member of the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights.