LAW - the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment and the Israeli Section of Defense for Children International (DCI - Israel), have jointly started a campaign for the immediate release of Palestinian minors, the youngest being 15, currently held in administrative detention (imprisonment without charge or trial) in the Megiddo military detention center in Israel.

Both organizations call upon the Israeli and Palestinian negotiators to include the release of the six juvenile administrative detainees as a matter of priority in their discussions, which are said to re-start any day.

The holding of minors in administrative detention is against the UN Covenant of the Rights of the Child, which Israel ratified in 1991. This Convention states that “every child alleged as or accused of having infringed the penal law has... to have the matter determined without delay by a competent, independent and impartial authority in a fair hearing.” Prolonged administrative detention constitutes a violation of human rights and reflects a disregard for the rule of law and due process.

The Hebron agreement has created new opportunities for progress in the peace process. The release of juveniles in administrative detention can be a gesture that will improve the climate.

The end of Ramadan has been, in the past, a period during which prisoners would be released.

DCI - Israel and LAW began the joint campaign for the immediate release of the juvenile administrative detainees in the belief that respect for human rights is vital for any peace process which purports to uphold international norms.

For more information contact: LAW - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, Tel: (972) (2) 5812364/5824559 (Khader Shkirat, Advocate). DCI - Israel: Telephone (972) (2) 5633003 (Dr. Philip Veerman).