Introduction:

On December 14, 2024, the Palestinian security forces launched a campaign named “Homeland Protection” in the city of Jenin and its refugee camp. According to the official statement from the security agencies, the campaign aimed to regain control over the camp from what they described as “outlaws.” The campaign resulted in numerous arrests, many of which involved individuals with no history of violent activities. While the campaign’s stated goal was to restore stability, numerous human rights violations and legal infractions were documented, subjecting detainees to illegal and inhumane conditions.

Developments:

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the security agencies on January 9, 2025, three armed individuals were killed, and 247 people were arrested, including 41 who were injured while resisting arrest. As the campaign continues, Lawyers for Justice Group continues to document and legally follow up on detainees’ cases, particularly those arrested under suspicious circumstances.

Arrests and Conditions:

While the campaign targeted groups described by security forces as “outlaws,” political arrests persisted against individuals with no involvement in violent activities. Lawyers for Justice documented over 200 arrests and followed up on 57 cases of detainees arrested for non-violent reasons. In most cases brought to trial, charges of “possession of an unlicensed weapon” were filed, though detainees asserted they were unarmed. Instead, they were accused based on photos of weapons found on their phones, social media posts criticizing the security agencies, or familial ties to wanted individuals.

Legal and Human Rights Violations:

Lawyers for Justice monitored the arrest conditions in Jenin and its camp, confirming multiple severe violations of the detainees’ fundamental rights under Palestinian and international law. The most prominent violations include:

1. Lack of fair trial guarantees: Many detainees are held without trial.
2. Denial of access to lawyers and families: Lawyers and families face difficulties in locating or communicating with detainees.
3. Coerced interrogations and torture: Detainees are subjected to torture and ill-treatment during interrogation.
4. Unlawful transfers of detainees: Some detainees were transferred from Jenin to other cities such as Salfit, Nablus, Jericho, and Ramallah, disregarding their legal rights.
5. Psychological torture and humiliation: Security forces have circulated degrading images and videos of detainees in the media to incite fear and intimidation.
6. Non-compliance with court decisions: Authorities have failed to implement court-ordered releases or ensure detainees are brought to trial.
7. Arbitrary detention: Many detainees remain imprisoned based on non-judicial decisions without a fair trial.

Recommendations:

1. Investigate cases of torture and ill-treatment: We call on the Attorney General and the Human Rights Prosecutor’s Office to conduct an immediate and comprehensive investigation into allegations of torture and mistreatment of detainees during this campaign.
2. End arbitrary detention: Security forces must cease arbitrary arrests and detentions without trial.
3. Enforce court decisions: Authorities must comply with judicial rulings ordering the release of detainees and uphold legal processes.
4. Investigate human rights violations: Palestinian authorities must conduct serious investigations into abuses committed by security forces and hold those responsible for torture and mistreatment accountable.
5. Adhere to international agreements: Palestine must uphold its commitments under international human rights treaties, including the Convention Against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which it has been bound by since joining the United Nations.

Conclusion:

The violations committed during the “Homeland Protection” campaign in Jenin constitute serious human rights breaches and undermine fundamental legal protections for detainees. We urge the relevant authorities in Palestine to take necessary measures to uphold justice, safeguard detainees’ rights, ensure fair trials, and adhere to international human rights agreements.

Issued in 5-3-2025.

Till here,

Lawyers for Justice.