Urgent Press Statement
Lawyers for Justice Group: Dozens of Detainees Commence Open-Ended Hunger Strike at Al-Junaid Detention Center, Nablus Lawyers for Justice Group is monitoring with grave concern reports received from families of detainees and recently released individuals regarding dozens of detainees at the Al-Junaid Detention Center in Nablus entering an open-ended hunger strike since the beginning of this week. This protest comes in response to reported dire detention conditions, including punitive measures, communication restrictions, medical negligence, and allegations of torture, humiliation, and ill-treatment. According to testimonies obtained by the Group, approximately (165) detainees are participating in the strike to protest their conditions of confinement and their prolonged detention without clear legal justification. This is particularly critical in cases where judicial release orders have been issued but remain unexecuted or ignored—some for extended periods. These practices bring back to the forefront the issues of “Administrative Detention” and detention at the pleasure of Governors or security chiefs. The testimonies further indicate that the detention center administration and security services have taken measures against the strikers, including: While Lawyers for Justice Group confirms that this data is based on reports from families and former detainees, it emphasizes the necessity of allowing competent authorities to conduct independent field verifications to assess the strikers’ demands and their health and legal status. Accordingly, Lawyers for Justice Group demands the following: The Group stresses that ensuring the humane treatment of detainees, respecting legal procedures—specifically the execution of release orders—and enabling oversight of prison administration (especially in Al-Junaid Prison) are legal obligations of the competent authorities, particularly the Ministry of Interior. Any breach of these obligations escalates risks to detainees’ health and undermines confidence in the justice system. The Group considers this statement an urgent and immediate appeal to address the demands, health conditions, and legal status of the hunger strikers. We call upon local and international civil society organizations, as well as the Ministry of Interior, to investigate allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and poor detention conditions, and to fulfill the strikers’ demands and improve their circumstances. Lawyers for Justice Group Issued on: February 18, 2026
Statement Issued by Lawyers for Justice
Regarding the Targeting of Samer Samara’s Family and the Killing of Children Ali and Rozan Samara from the Town of Tammun Lawyers for Justice is monitoring the killing of two children, Ali Samara (16) and Rozan Samara (4), from the town of Tammun. The deaths resulted from direct gunfire by members of a Palestinian security force targeting a civilian vehicle carrying women and children. This is according to the testimony of the detained citizen’s son during his father’s arrest and the statement issued by the Samara family. According to testimonies, a security unit in civilian clothing, traveling in civilian vehicles, opened fire without any prior warning or notice on a civilian vehicle carrying Mr. Samara and his family. This led to the death of the two children, varying injuries to other family members, and the arrest of the children’s father, Samer Samara, who is pursued by Israeli occupation forces and was also injured during the attack. The targeting of a civilian vehicle carrying women and children with lethal force constitutes a serious crime and a grave violation of the Right to Life. It cannot be justified under any security or political pretext. This crime occurs within an alarming context of gross violations committed by Palestinian security services in recent years, reaching a peak since the killing of political activist Nizar Banat. Human rights organizations and families have documented accusations from more than twenty families against the security services for involvement in the killing of their sons in similar incidents or as a result of torture. This indicates a dangerous pattern and methodology of using excessive and lethal force outside the framework of the law, amidst a total absence of effective accountability. Lawyers for Justice affirms that the Palestinian Authority, by acceding to international human rights treaties including the Convention against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) is legally bound to regulate the conduct of its members, respect human rights, prohibit torture and ill-treatment, and ensure accountability to prevent impunity. The persistence of a culture of impunity for perpetrators of these violations undermines the rule of law, fosters a culture of revenge and harassment of dissidents and activists, and threatens civil and social peace. Demands of Lawyers for Justice: The Right to Life is an inviolable right that may not be infringed upon under any pretext. Tolerance toward these crimes paves the way for their recurrence, threatens civil peace, and undermines what remains of trust in the justice system. Serious accountability is the only way to prevent the repetition of these violations and protect society from the cycle of violence and impunity. Our deepest condolences to the Samara family and the families of the victims. Lawyers for Justice Monday, February 16, 2026
Urgent Statement Issued by Lawyers for Justice Group Regarding the Arrest of Political Activist Mazid Saqf al-Hayt and the Extension of His Detention for 48 Hours for Investigation Purposes
Lawyers for Justice Group is closely monitoring with deep concern the arrest of political activist and human rights defender Mazid Saqf al-Hayt, who was detained by the Palestinian General Intelligence (P.G.I) in Nablus following a summons issued yesterday, Sunday. The group notes with particular concern that he is experiencing serious health conditions, as reported by his wife. He was referred today to the Public Prosecution, which commenced an investigation against him. He has been charged with criminal offenses including defamation against the authorities and incitement of sectarian strife, based on the Penal Code and the Cybercrime Law, in addition to a charge of possession of a weapon. All of these charges are politically motivated. According to his lawyer, Mazid has stated that most of the posts attributed to him are forged and do not belong to him. The group emphasizes that the timing of this political arrest raises serious suspicion, particularly as it occurred only days after Mazid Saqf al-Hayyat filed a constitutional appeal before the Supreme Constitutional Court against Presidential Decree No. (4) of 2025, regarding the formation of a committee to draft a temporary constitution for the transition from Authority to State. What has occurred represents a serious attempt to retaliate against an activist for exercising his right to peaceful constitutional litigation, constituting a flagrant violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedom of opinion and expression and the right to judicial recourse without fear or reprisal. The group asserts that resorting to the constitutional judiciary is a legitimate right and must not be turned into a pretext for political or security targeting. Accordingly, we demand: · The immediate release of activist Mazid Saqf al-Hayyat. · The cessation of all forms of retaliation against human rights defenders. · Ensuring a fair trial and the application of the Palestinian Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Lawyers for Justice GroupRamallah – 22 December 2025
Statement Issued by “Lawyers for Justice”On the Continued Detention of Journalist and Activist Su’ad Al-Khawaaja Despite Four Judicial Release Orders
Lawyers for Justice is following with deep concern the continued detention of journalist and activist Su’ad Al-Khawaaja by the police in Ramallah, after she was summoned last Tuesday, despite the issuance of four separate judicial release orders and the payment of all required bail amounts. Her continued detention in defiance of these court decisions constitutes—based on our monitoring—a serious violation of personal liberty and a clear departure from the legal framework that guarantees rights and due process. The group views this ongoing detention without any legal basis as a troubling indication of an arbitrary misuse of authority, which necessitates immediate action by the Public Prosecutor to investigate the circumstances and reasons behind this detention, and to ensure that such practices— which violate Palestinian law and binding international standards—are not repeated. Accordingly, Lawyers for Justice issues an urgent call to the esteemed Public Prosecutor, as well as to local and international human rights organizations, to take swift action and exert pressure to uphold the rule of law and secure the immediate release of journalist Su’ad Al-Khawaaja. The group also stresses that the detained journalist is a mother of two children, a fact that exacerbates the humanitarian and social consequences of her continued detention. The group further reminds the authorities of their obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, particularly those related to the right to liberty and personal security, and the prohibition of arbitrary arrest or detention. End Lawyers for Justice17 November 2025
Statement Issued by Lawyers for JusticeRegarding the Arrest of Activist and Dentist Dr. Ghanem Rzaiqat
Lawyers for Justice expresses its deep concern over the arrest of Dr. Ghanem Rzaiqat, a dentist, former candidate in the Palestinian Dental Association elections, and a well-known activist for human rights and public freedoms in Palestine, by the Palestinian security services. The organization considers Dr. Rzaiqat’s arrest to be an arbitrary detention that violates the provisions of the Palestinian Basic Law and constitutes a clear infringement on citizens’ rights to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as their right to legitimate union and human rights activism. Lawyers for Justice strongly condemns this arrest and demands the immediate and unconditional release of Dr. Rzaiqat, ensuring his physical and psychological safety, and enabling him to exercise his union and human rights work, including his right to a fair trial, the foremost guarantee of which is liberty. The organization also calls upon the Palestinian Dental Association, the Palestinian Medical Association, and all union and human rights bodies to assume their professional and moral responsibilities, to act promptly to secure his release, and to reject any practices that undermine the independence of union work. The continued policy of arbitrary detention against activists and union candidates threatens democratic practice, obstructs the conduct of free and transparent elections, and constitutes a clear violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the State of Palestine is a party. Lawyers for JusticeRamallah – Palestine10 November 2025
Letter from the Archie Thomas Sankara Club – Italy Dated 26 October 2025Regarding the Pursuit of Lawyers for Justice and Its Director, Advocate Mohannad Karajah
To: The Diplomatic Mission of the State of Palestine in ItalyAttn: Mr. Mohammed S. A. Salem, First SecretarySubject: Immediate Release of Advocate Mohannad Karajah Advocate Mohannad Karajah, from the organization Lawyers for Justice—which is twinned with our own—was detained in the West Bank upon his return from a trip abroad. Advocate Karajah is a human rights defender and a key initiator of the twinning partnership between the Bar Association of Messina (Italy) and the Palestinian Bar Association. He is a person committed to the rule of law and justice. We have been informed of a slander and defamation campaign targeting him, based on fabricated news, images, and texts generated using artificial intelligence. It is absolutely unacceptable that someone of such high ethical and professional standing be associated with such a false and abusive campaign. The security cooperation agreement between the occupying power and the Palestinian National Authority must not, under any circumstances, be used to criminalize those who embody the true opposite of authoritarianism—individuals who enjoy wide respect in Europe and in many Western countries, including the United States. We also remind you that Advocate Mohannad Karajah has been a guest on several occasions of European Union missions, as well as United Nations bodies and offices. Accordingly, the undersigned, Patrizia Maiorana, the legal representative of the Archie Thomas Sankara Club,calls for the immediate release of Advocate Mohannad Karajah,so that Palestine may demonstrate a real commitment to the rule of law and justice. We kindly request that you provide us urgently with updates on the progress of this case. Messina, 26 October 2025Signed:Patrizia MaioranaLegal RepresentativeArchie Thomas Sankara Club
His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas President of the State of Palestine Office of the President Al-Muqataa – Ramallah State of Palestine
info@president.ps Brussels, 29 October 2025 Subject: Arrest of Advocate Mohannad Karajah, Director of “Lawyers for Justice,” and the Ongoing Campaign of Incitement, Threats, and Fabricated Accusations Online Your Excellency, I have the honor to write to you on behalf of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), which represents the bars and legal societies of 46 European countries, comprising more than one million European lawyers. The CCBE places great importance on respect for human rights and the rule of law, and closely follows the situation of lawyers at risk around the world. The CCBE expresses its deep concern regarding the recent arrest of Advocate Mohannad Karajah, Director of “Lawyers for Justice,” by Palestinian security forces in Jericho Governorate upon his return from travel. This arrest occurred in the context of an unprecedented campaign of incitement, based on falsified and fabricated posts falsely attributed to him and to his organization, which are believed to be a reaction to his legal work and human-rights activities. According to the information received, fabricated statements and posts were widely circulated on social media calling for the arrest and prosecution of Advocate Karajah, despite public clarifications confirming that these materials were falsified. Reports indicate that two independent verification entities concluded that the circulated posts attributed to “Lawyers for Justice” and its director were digitally manipulated as part of an organized disinformation campaign. This campaign appears to involve multiple social-media accounts, including Telegram channels and Facebook pages, some of which are believed to be linked to political, media, or security actors, and which fueled calls to close the organization’s offices, revoke lawyers’ licenses, and label the group as “supporters of terrorism.” In this context, we have received information stating that Advocate Mohannad Karajah was arrested on 26 October and released after several hours of interrogation, but was informed the following day of a complaint filed against him before the Public Prosecution based on the same fabricated posts. These actions reportedly appear to be retaliatory measures linked to his ongoing human-rights work over more than fifteen years, amid an atmosphere of incitement that included death threats. We further understand that these acts have extended to include members of his family: his brother, Hassan Yasser Karajah, was summoned for questioning at the Preventive Security headquarters on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, to appear at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, 23 October. He was briefly detained and—according to reports—subjected to pressure aimed at compelling Advocate Karajah to submit to arrest or interrogation orders despite his prior clarifications. The CCBE is profoundly concerned that the pattern of harassment, defamation, and threats targeting “Lawyers for Justice” and Advocate Karajah appears designed to silence a legal-rights organization and intimidate its staff, thereby undermining the legal profession and the protection of fundamental rights. The CCBE wishes to draw your attention to the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (attached), particularly Principles 16, 17, and 18, which ensure that lawyers are able to perform their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment, or improper interference, as well as Principle 23 concerning freedom of expression and association. The CCBE also wishes to highlight the recent Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer, and encourages its signature and ratification once open for accession. In light of the above, the CCBE urges the competent authorities to guarantee the safety and freedom of Advocate Mohannad Karajah, and to ensure that “Lawyers for Justice” and all lawyers are able to carry out their duties without fear of retaliation, obstruction, intimidation, or harassment—particularly as the reported campaign is believed to rely on fabricated and misleading content designed to undermine their legitimate legal and human-rights work. The CCBE also recalls that all lawyers must be able to perform their professional duties without fear of reprisal or intimidation, in order to safeguard the independence and integrity of the justice system and the rule of law. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration. Thierry WickersPresidentCouncil of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE)
Public Statement on the Circumstances of the Arrest and Prosecution of Lawyers for Justice and Its Director, Advocate Mohannad Karajah, Based on Fabricated Posts
Since 18 October 2025, Lawyers for Justice has been closely monitoring a deceptive campaign of incitement and defamation launched through fabricated and manipulated posts disseminated by individuals operating within what has become evidently a coordinated and funded effort targeting the organization and its director, Advocate Mohannad Karajah. Over the past two weeks, the campaign has escalated through the actions of virtual actors on social media, who were shown to be operating in coordination with individuals active across multiple geographic locations outside the West Bank and Gaza. These actors work within a unified network that launches synchronized waves of incitement designed to manufacture a false public perception. The organization notes that this coordinated virtual network engages in systematic and directed incitement, relying on the circulation and exchange of inflammatory content via WhatsApp at pre-determined times, without any verification of the authenticity of the material being circulated. During this period, the organization also monitored the identities of individuals and entities that amplified and promoted this content through media outlets in an attempt to legitimize it. This was not surprising to Lawyers for Justice, given that the organization has, throughout its years of legal and human-rights work, been subjected to similar campaigns seeking to incite hostility toward its work. Such campaigns reflect the difficult environment in which a human-rights organization operates, particularly in the face of narratives fueled by hatred and incitement to violence — narratives that have been reinforced by official statements that support and legitimize this harmful pattern rather than confronting it or holding its perpetrators accountable. In this context, the organization notes that on 26 October 2025, while Advocate Mohannad Karajah was returning to Palestine, he was detained for several hours in connection with the incitement campaign targeting him, after his passport was confiscated by Palestinian security forces. He was later released due to the absence of any legal grounds for his detention. Subsequently, on 27 October 2025, Advocate Karajah received — through the Palestinian Bar Association — a notice from the Public Prosecution requesting him to appear regarding a complaint filed by one of the individuals promoting and participating in the fabricated campaign. It must be emphasized that this type of case does not require a personal complaint to initiate proceedings, as the Public Prosecution has the authority to act on its own motion, even assuming the alleged facts were true. Advocate Karajah indeed appeared before the Public Prosecution in Ramallah on 27 October 2025 and briefed the Chief Prosecutor on the alleged facts, supported by findings issued by specialized social-media platforms that verify fabricated content and misinformation. However, the Chief Prosecutor rejected this and asked Advocate Karajah to “cooperate in resolving the issue” by handing over the password to his Facebook account — a request he refused, as it constitutes an unlawful intrusion into his privacy, which is protected by law. The investigation was postponed to Wednesday, 29 October 2025. Due to his refusal to “cooperate” by surrendering his private login credentials, a formal investigation was opened and a 48-hour detention order was issued to “complete the investigation,” despite the fact that the law provides legal tools through which the authenticity of posts can be examined without violating the privacy of Advocate Karajah as a defendant or infringing on his right to a fair trial. Accordingly, Lawyers for Justice affirms the following: Lawyers for JusticeIssued on 02 November 2025
Press Release on the Detainee Uday Tareq Ali Al-Saadi, on Hunger Strike in Preventive Security Custody
The group “Lawyers for Justice” expresses its deep concern over the continued detention of citizen Uday Tareq Al-Saadi (30 years old), who has been on a hunger strike for the third consecutive day in protest against his unlawful detention by the Preventive Security Service in Ramallah, and his deprivation of rights guaranteed under the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights conventions. Al-Saadi was arrested without a clear indictment and without being brought before a fair court within the legally prescribed period, which constitutes a blatant violation of his right to liberty, to a fair trial, and to due process guarantees. His decision to go on hunger strike reflects his ongoing suffering and represents a peaceful protest against the arbitrariness and denial of his most basic legal and human rights. We firmly stress the decision of the Administrative Court issued on 17 September 2025, which ruled to release Al-Saadi, establishing that his detention had been unlawful since his arbitrary arrest on 19 February 2025. We warn of the deterioration of Al-Saadi’s health condition, and we hold the competent security and judicial authorities fully responsible for his life and his physical and psychological safety. We emphasize that the continuation of his detention without clear legal grounds constitutes an arbitrary practice that violates Palestinian law and international human rights standards. Lawyers for Justice calls for: We affirm that the protection of rights and freedoms is not subject to delay or justification, and that respect for human dignity, freedoms, and the rule of law must remain the foundation of the relationship between state institutions and their citizens. Lawyers for Justice24 September 2025
Statement Issued by Lawyers for Justice On the Detention and Subsequent Release of Community Activist Ramah Al-Bayaa over Freedom of Opinion and Expression
Lawyers for Justice is deeply concerned over the case of community activist Ramah Al-Bayaa (62 years old) from the town of Beitunia, who was arrested last Thursday evening from her home by the Palestinian police’s General Investigations Unit, without the presentation of an official arrest warrant, according to her testimony. Mrs. Al-Bayaa was interrogated over posts she had published on Facebook and was charged with defaming the Authority under the Cybercrime Law—an excessive and abusive use of this law against public freedoms and freedom of expression. In her testimony to our team, Mrs. Al-Bayaa stated that she was subjected to ill-treatment during interrogation and detention despite her difficult health condition and her suffering from chronic illnesses. She was later transferred to the Military Medical Services before being held for four days at the women’s detention facility in the Balouʿ area – Al-Bireh. She was brought before the Magistrate Court judge in Ramallah last Sunday, where the above-mentioned charge was formally filed against her, after which she was released on personal bail. We at Lawyers for Justice affirm that the right to freedom of opinion and expression is guaranteed under the Palestinian Basic Law and may not be restricted through the use of vague provisions in the Cybercrime Law. We categorically reject the ongoing practices of silencing voices and arbitrarily arresting activists based on their political positions or critical opinions. The group issues an urgent appeal to local and international human rights institutions, as well as to the UN Special Rapporteurs, to take immediate action to end the policy of persecution on the basis of opinion and to hold accountable all those involved in violations of fundamental human rights in Palestine. Lawyers for JusticeRamallah – PalestineDate: 18/09/2025