9 October 1997

Khader Shkirat, the director of LAW - the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment is being prevented by the Israeli security services from attending the “Health and Human Rights” Conference, to be held in Gaza on 12-15 October. Mr. Shkirat should give a presentation and receive an award at this conference.

On 7 October, Mr. Shkirat applied for permission to enter Gaza, as is necessary for all Palestinians including those from East Jerusalem. East Jerusalem residents must follow a special procedure where they must apply in advance to the Israeli office in charge of travel to Gaza. Israelis wishing to travel to Gaza, however, receive their permission to enter Gaza at the Erez checkpoint itself, and need not apply in advance. On 8 October, the Israeli security services rejected Mr. Shkirat’s application on “security” grounds, and stated he would not be allowed to enter Gaza. LAW has appealed this decision to the petitions department of the Israeli Attorney General’s office. If the permission is again denied, LAW will take the case to the Israeli High Court.

LAW considers this refusal on the part of the Israeli authorities as unlawful interference in the movement of individual Palestinians and in the work and activities of Palestinian organizations. The notion that Mr. Shkirat is a “security threat” reflects the common Israeli practice of using the claim of security to impede the liberty and violate the rights of Palestinians. LAW demands that the Israeli government and security forces allow Mr. Shkirat to carry out his duties for LAW and to end this type of repressive policy.

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.