Birzeit--In its press release of 26 March 1996, Birzeit University and its Human Rights Action Project noted the importance of due process and the rule of law for the development of Palestine. The university welcomed endorsement of the principles of the rule of law and human rights by Palestinian leaders and the Palestinian National Authority (PNA). Furthermore, the university affirmed the need for sustained and cooperative efforts to establish appropriate procedures and practices, and to uphold the rule of law in Palestine.
It is again in this spirit that the university calls on the PNA, the Palestinian Legislative Council, local and international human rights organizations and other concerned or responsible parties to take action without delay to protect the health and well-being of student Adeeb Muhammad Ziadeh. At this time, the university would like to refocus attention on the urgent need for the implementation of appropriate laws and procedures to insure the safety of persons in interrogation and/or detention.
At 11:30 am on Monday, April 1, 1996, PNA officials lifted for the first time in 24 days a ban on all visits and permitted the family of Adeeb Muhammad Ziadeh (age 26 of Qalandia) to visit him in their Jericho District Headquarters (Muqata). Adeeb was arrested by PNA security forces in the Ramallah district on Friday, March 8, 1996; he has been held incommunicado in the intelligence section of the Jericho Prison since that time. During this 30 minute visit, Adeeb described to his family the conditions under which he has been held. Adeeb’s complaints to his family raise grave concerns about his safety, as well as about procedures followed by PNA security officials during detention and interrogation.
Adeeb complained of being subjected to severe beatings at the hands of his interrogators. He reported that interrogators used a stick and a whip, as well as their hands and feet, to beat him. Adeeb reported that he had been held alone in a small closed room for protracted periods and that he had been prevented from sleeping. Adeeb's family stated that deep bruises were visible on his body, including his neck and face. They also reported that Adeeb appeared to have lost weight.
Adeeb described two occasions on which he fainted as a result of interrogation and was taken to the Jericho Hospital for treatment. On approximately 19 March, Adeeb awoke from unconsciousness to find himself in the hospital where they gave him glucose intravenously and oxygen. After spending 5-6 hours in the hospital he was returned to the prison where the interrogation continued. Adeeb reported that on 30 March, following a severe beating in which a stick and whip were used, he again lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital. Adeeb stated that if the interrogators resumed violent interrogation, he would begin an open-ended hunger strike.
The visit by the family members took place in the presence of a PNA security official. The visitors asked the official how long the period of interrogation could continue and what procedures governed this. The official replied that no restrictions or laws apply to the interrogation, and asserted the intelligence services (mukhabarat) had full authority over all such decisions.
During the entire period, the Birzeit university officials, the Human Rights Action Project lawyer, and family members have contacted responsible authorities at all levels in the PNA requesting information about the detention of Adeeb, the grounds for his detention, and permission to visit him. On all occasions, access has been refused.
Adeeb has now been detained for four weeks. His detention has been marked by a profound lack of judicial accountability. No warrant was issued for his arrest. He has not been charged with any offense, and he has never appeared before a judge to have the period of his detention or the basis of the investigation against him reviewed. He has been indefinitely banned from seeing his lawyer and, with this one exception, his family.
Basic standards of all laws guarantee to each prisoner the right to be told the reasons for his or her arrest, the right to be brought before a person authorized to exercise judicial power within three or four days of his or her arrest, the right to regular contact with family members throughout the period of detention, and the right to meet regularly and without supervision with his or her lawyer.
Birzeit University views this case with great alarm as it illustrates at every level serious violations of Adeeb’s basic rights, as well as systemic breaches of the rule of law. The university reminds the competent authorities that the PNA is responsible for the health and well-being of Adeeb and of every detainee under its jurisdiction.
At this time, the university asks the competent authorities and all concerned parties to intervene on the following matters in a effort to resolve a dangerous situation:
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For more information contact: Human Rights Action Project.
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