Birzeit—The Human Rights Action Project (HRAP) of Birzeit University is gravely concerned for the well being of student Ghassan Abdul Salam Al Addassi. Addassi was arrested by the Palestinian Preventive Security Service on 29 March 1998 in the middle of the night from his home in El Bireh. Since his arrest, Addassi has not been allowed access to the HRAP lawyer, Adv. Elia Theodory, who has requested several times to meet with him, nor has he been allowed any other legal counsel. Apart from a visit by one family member who was briefly detained by the Palestinian Preventive Security Service, Addassi has not been allowed any family visits.
Legal counsel and the right to visits with an attorney are a basic human right under all relevant international laws and treaties. The continued refusal by the Palestinian Preventive Security Service to allow Adv. Elia Theodory to visit with his client and the lack of direct information from Addassi has caused serious concern for his well-being and state of health. The Human Rights Action Project of Birzeit University calls on the Palestinian Authority to respect and encourage the rule of law within Palestine and to ensure the basic rights of all Palestinian detainees. We also ask the international community to add their voices in protest to the continued prevention order and demand that Addassi’s legal process be conducted according to international norms.
Letters of protest may be sent to:
President Yasser Arafat
President
Palestinian Authority
Office of the President
Gaza
Fax: +972-7-822366
Mr. Fayez Abu-Rahmeh
Attorney General
Palestinian Authority
Attorney General’s Building
Yarmouk, Gaza
Fax: +972-7-824503
Col. Jibril Rajoub
Head of Palestinian Preventive Security Service
Preventive Security Service Office
Jericho
Fax: +972-2-9921273
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Human Rights Action Project homepage - http://www.birzeit.edu/hrap/