February 5, 1997

PRESS RELEASE

We the undersigned; human rights organizations, legislative council members, and activists in the field of Palestinian human rights, would like to state the following:

1. The death by torture of a detainee held by the Military Intelligence reinstates the necessity to design and implement rules, laws and clear jurisdictions for the Palestinian Security Services.

This incident also confirms the continuing violations of the rule of law and basic human rights by the Palestinian Authority as long as these security apparatuses remain active without clear regulations and jurisdiction, and without having a system of accountability responsible for following up and taking measures against violations of human rights which includes torture, and the continuing detention of individuals without giving due notice to the rules of arrest.

2. Notwithstanding the positive and bold comment of the Minister of Justice and his precise description of the circumstances which led to the death of the detainee Yousef El-Baba, we still feel that the need is not only to bring the individuals personally responsible for this crime to justice, but rather to take clear decisions to release remaining individuals detained without any legal bases by the Palestinian Security Services, and to limit the jurisdiction of the Security Services before new “violations” occur.

3. It is both a matter of deep concern and pity that the positive developments following the comments of the Minister of Justice have subsided. New developments have already occurred which are also a matter of anxiety, concerning the actions taken by the chief of one of the security services.

The chief of this security service personally called Mr. Khader Shkirat, General Director of LAW - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, accused him of working in a disreputable organization, threatened him and assured that he (the head of the security service) would personally forbid this organization from visiting detainees. This threat came as a result of the persistence of Mr. Khader Shkirat to pursue the case as the legal attorney of Omar Dabour, another individual detained by the Palestinian Intelligence (Mukhabarat) in Jericho since January 18, without any official charge or trial in the same kind of illegal manner referred to by the Minister of Justice. This is because Mr. Shkirat was concerned to follow up the case of his client and to ensure his release before it turns into another major violation of individual human rights condemned by all parties.

Based on the above, the undersigned wish to confirm their deepest regret and concern about the comments and accusations made by the Chief of that security service in his formal capacity against both Attorney Khader Shkirat and his organization.

Furthermore, we call upon all members of the Legislative Council and Ministers to take on their responsibilities and to meet with representatives of human rights organizations to put an end to such violations.

- The Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens’ Rights
- Jerusalem Centre for Legal Assistance
- “Quakers”
- Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
- LAW
- Addameer
- Freedoms’ Defense Centre
- Palestinian Information Centre for Human Rights
- Democracy and Workers’ Rights Centre
- Mr. Hussam Khader, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council
- Dr. Haidar Abdul-Shafi, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council
- Mr. Rafat Najah, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council
- Dr. Ali Jarbawi
- Dr. George Gaqaman
- Mr. Osama Odeh
- Mr. Ali Abu Hilal
- Mr. Manuel Hassasian
- Dr. Tamer Issawi
- Mr. Daoud Talhami
- Dr. Mamdouh Aker
- Mrs. Assia Habash
- Dr. Mohammed Jadallah
- Mr. Abdul-Majid Hamdan
- Ms. Rana Nashashibi
- Mr. Omar Assaf
- Mr. Ghassan Khatib
- Mr. Hanna Amireh
- Ms. Amneh Rimawwi
- Dr. Mustafa Baarghouti
- Mr. Abdel Latif Ghaif
- Mr. Naimal Ashab
- Ms. Rana Bishara