PROFESSOR ARRESTED IN GAZA
IN VIOLATION OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
7 July 1997
On 2 July, the Palestinian Preventative Security Service (PSS) arrested Dr. Fathi Ahmed Subuh, professor at the Department of Education at al Azhar University in Gaza, for asking several critical questions on a final exam. Dr. Subuh is 44 years old, married with three children.According to his family, a large number of PSS officers came to Dr. Subuh’s house at 6:30 am, produced an arrest warrant, and took him to the PSS interrogation center at Tel il Howa. He remains at the interrogation center until this date. He has not been allowed visits from his family since his arrest.
The family believes he was arrested for asking two questions on his final exams: 1. What were the problems with administrative corruption within al Azhar University and 2. on corruption within the Palestinian Authority. The administration of the university took exception to the questions, and promised to form an investigation committee, a committee which was never formed. The PSS instead took the case.
Dr. Subuh is not the first person arrested this year for expressing their opinion. Daoud Kuttab was arrested on 20 May; Dr. Ayoub Othman, arrested 30 May; and the former Deputy Attorney General, Advocate Jamil Juma’a Salame, was arrested for attempting to publish an article entitled “What if Bar-On were Palestinian?”.
LAW expresses its deep concern over the continuing arrests of those who express opinions critical of the Palestinian Authority. LAW calls for the immediate release of Dr. Subuh, and for a halt to a PA policy which violates the most fundamental of human rights - the freedom of expression. Please fax your condemnation of this ongoing policy to: President Yassir Arafat, (972) (7) 822365/6; Justice Minister Freih Abu Medein, (972) (7) 822236; Colonel Mohammed Dahlan, head of the PSS, T/F (972) (7) 825518; or to email - Palestine Liberation Organization/United Nations: palestinun@aol.com; Palestine National Authority: info@nmopic.pna.net
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.