24 November

The Palestinian High Court held a hearing on 23 November 1997 to discuss the lawsuit filed against the Palestinian General Intelligence on 4 September 1997 by LAW on behalf of detainee Mahmoud Musleh. Mahmoud Musleh is one of 77 suspected Islamic activists arrested by the Palestinian Authority without an official order and denied legal council following the bombing of 4 September. On 23 September, LAW took his case to the High Court to demand from the Attorney General an explanation for the illegal arrest and continued detention of Mr. Musleh.

Today the Court heard the arguments presented by LAW's attorney Khader Shkirat and the state prosecutor Salah Mana', who argued on behalf of the President and the Attorney General.

Mana' demanded that the Court abolish the preliminary court order demanding the prosecutor to present charges against Musleh within a period of 15 days. Shkirat demanded that the prosecutor bring charges against Musleh and for the court to order that the prosecutor must release Mr. Musleh in the event he is not charged.

The court decided to issue its decision on 30 November 1997.

LAW sees this case as not only a test case for the independence of the Palestinian judiciary, but also as a precedent-setting case for the other 77 arrested without due process. LAW condemns this latest example of human rights abuses brought about by Israeli pressure on the PA. LAW calls on the PA to follow the rule of law and due process by halting illegal arrests and detention without charge, trial or legal representation.

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.