Statement Issued by Lawyers for Justice Regarding the Constitutional Challenge to Presidential Decree No. (4) of 2025 on the Formation of a Committee to Draft a Temporary Constitution
Lawyers for Justice, in its capacity as legal counsel for activists Jamal Suleiman (Al-Saber) and Mazeed Saqf Al-Heit, has filed a constitutional challenge before the Supreme Constitutional Court in Ramallah against Presidential Decree No. (4) of 2025, issued by President Mahmoud Abbas, concerning the formation of a committee to draft a “temporary constitution” for the transition from authority to statehood. The constitutional appeal is grounded in well-established legal and national principles, which affirm that: Lawyers for Justice affirms that the constitution belongs to the Palestinian people as a whole and must not be appropriated or engineered unilaterally outside an inclusive, participatory democratic framework. Accordingly, we call for the suspension of the decree and the initiation of a comprehensive national dialogue to develop a unified vision grounded in popular representation and national legitimacy. Lawyers for JusticeRamallah – Palestine17 December 2025
Statement Issued by Lawyers for Justice on Conducting a meeting with Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
Lawyers for Justice held a productive meeting with the international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to discuss the violations faced by journalists in Palestine in general, and in the West Bank in particular. The meeting addressed the experiences of male and female journalists and the challenges they encounter under the current conditions. It also explored avenues for joint cooperation and mechanisms to further develop the relationship between the organization and the group, with the primary aim of safeguarding journalists and providing all necessary means to protect and support them in carrying out their work. The two parties also discussed, in particular, the issue of arbitrary arrests targeting journalists, as well as repeated summonses, legal harassment, and prosecutions that constitute a clear violation of press freedom and the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Both sides emphasized the need to intensify legal and human rights efforts to confront these violations and ensure a safe environment that enables journalists to perform their duties without fear or restriction. Lawyers for Justice values this constructive cooperation with Reporters Without Borders and affirms its continued commitment to defending the rights of journalists, strengthening their legal protection, and working jointly to put an end to all forms of violations committed against them.
Training for Human Rights and Legal Activists on Documenting Violations in Bedouin Communities Classified as Area (C)
The Al-Baidar Association for Defending Bedouin Rights, in partnership with Lawyers for Justice, held a specialized training on mechanisms for monitoring and documenting violations in Area (C), with the participation of 19 trainees including activists, human-rights defenders, and legal practitioners from the South Hebron and Jordan Valley areas. The training focused on the importance of professional documentation of the violations faced by residents in these areas, and on how such documentation can be used for advocacy and amplifying their voices at the international level. This training comes as part of a project supported by the Government of Canada, which aims to empower local actors and enhance protection in threatened areas.
Position Paper by Lawyers for Justice On Rejecting the Siege Imposed on the Population of the West Bank and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Decision to Close the Karameh (Allenby) Crossing
Introduction Lawyers for Justice follows with deep concern the recent decisions issued by the Israeli Prime Minister, which include tightening the siege on the population of the West Bank and closing the only land crossing available to them. This constitutes collective punishment, in clear violation of the most basic rules of international law and the international human rights framework. These decisions come in the context of political pressure on the Palestinian people to deter them from pursuing their legitimate right to recognition of the State of Palestine. Legal Dimensions Violation of International Humanitarian Law: The closure of crossings and the tightening of restrictions on civilians in the West Bank represent a clear violation of Article (33) of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits collective punishment. Violation of the Right to Freedom of Movement: International covenants, including Article (12) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, guarantee the right to freedom of movement and to leave and return to occupied territories. Undermining Fundamental Rights: These measures restrict access to essential health, education, and economic services, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation caused by the ongoing military occupation. Political and Humanitarian Dimensions These policies are unfolding amidst mounting international pressure on Israel to recognize the State of Palestine, exposing the instrumentalization of humanitarian suffering as a bargaining tool. The continued imposition of the siege threatens social stability and security, while further deepening poverty, unemployment, and forced isolation imposed on millions of Palestinians. Position of Lawyers for Justice We firmly reject these policies and measures, which amount to a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. We call upon the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to shoulder their legal and moral responsibilities by compelling the Israeli authorities to retract these unjust decisions. We demand the opening of all crossings for Palestinians without restrictions or conditions, and the guarantee of their inalienable right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state on their land. Recommendations Urgent diplomatic pressure must be exerted on the Israeli government to end the siege and immediately reopen the Karameh (Allenby) crossing. International accountability mechanisms must be activated against the Israeli officials responsible for these decisions. Global solidarity with the Palestinian people must be strengthened, and their legitimate right to freedom and independence must be supported.
Statement by Lawyers for Justice Regarding the Announcement of the Winner of the Nizar Banat Human Rights Defenders Award for 2025
Lawyers for Justice announces the selection of Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya, a prisoner from the Gaza Strip, as the recipient of the Nizar Banat Award for At-Risk Human Rights Defenders in its inaugural edition. The award was launched by the group on the fourth anniversary of the assassination of human rights activist and political dissident Nizar Banat, in honor of his legacy and struggle for freedom and dignity. Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya was chosen following a thorough evaluation process conducted by an independent jury composed of prominent human rights experts. The selection was based on clear criteria, including the nominee’s track record in human rights work, the level of threats and risks faced, place of residence, and the continuity of their activism. Dr. Abu Safiya is a leading physician and human rights defender in Gaza. He is currently detained by the Israeli occupation authorities and lost one of his children during the recent aggression on the Strip. Despite his imprisonment, he continues his struggle from behind bars. The group affirms that this award aims to shed light on the sacrifices made by human rights defenders, particularly in the face of the ongoing genocide against civilians in Gaza and the suppression of freedoms. It also seeks to highlight the suffering of political prisoners and those who defend dignity under fire and bombardment. Lawyers for Justice extends its salute to all shortlisted nominees and considers them partners in the struggle to defend human rights. June 29, 2025Lawyers for Justice
Statement by Lawyers for Justice On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
Today, June 26, 2025, marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This day comes at a time when the crime of genocide against the civilian population in the Gaza Strip continues for the second consecutive year, alongside the ongoing settler attacks targeting cities and villages in the occupied West Bank. On this occasion, renewed attention is drawn to the crimes of torture faced by hundreds of individuals each year—especially prisoners and detainees who have experienced incarceration, often accompanied by physical and psychological torture. In this context, the group highlights the alarming escalation in the use of physical and psychological torture against Palestinian prisoners, particularly those who have been detained by Israeli occupation forces after October 7, 2023. Numerous direct testimonies have been documented from Palestinian prisoners who reported unprecedented physical and psychological torture, starting from the moment of arrest, continuing through interrogation, and even during periods of detention in prisons or temporary detention centers, according to verified testimonies from recently released individuals. Additionally, prisoners suffer from systematic ill-treatment, including medical neglect, denial of basic rights, and harsh conditions that amount to inhuman and degrading treatment. Over the past two years, human rights institutions have reported the death of nearly 65 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention facilities, including approximately 40 from Gaza and 25 from the West Bank. The group emphasizes that these figures remain estimations, given the continued Israeli policy of media blackout and refusal to provide accurate information about the fate of hundreds of detainees, especially from Gaza, many of whom remain unaccounted for. These cases include individuals who died as a result of torture and ill-treatment or were subjected to extrajudicial executions after arrest. This demands immediate intervention to halt these crimes and hold the perpetrators accountable to ensure justice for the victims. Torture in Palestinian Authority Detention Centers Despite the Palestinian Authority’s ratification of the Convention Against Torture and its issuance of Law by Decree No. 25 of 2023, recent years—particularly since 2023—have witnessed a concerning continuation of torture practices within detention centers operated by Palestinian security agencies. Dozens of cases have been documented in which detainees were subjected to physical and psychological torture during arrest or detention, including severe beatings, stress positions, insults, and denial of medical care. Many torture-related cases remain under judicial review within the Palestinian courts without resulting in genuine accountability for those responsible for these violations. The facts indicate a significant gap between the legal commitments made by the Palestinian Authority under the Convention Against Torture and the actual practices on the ground. The principle of non-impunity remains unenforced, and judicial procedures lack the effectiveness and independence necessary to ensure justice for victims. This reality entrenches a state of official complicity and silence, undermines public trust in the justice system, and poses a serious threat to human rights and the rule of law in the Palestinian territories. On this occasion, Lawyers for Justice stresses the importance of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms—foremost among them the right to humane treatment—and the absolute rejection of torture under any circumstance or justification.The group emphasizes that this commitment requires official bodies to activate the legal and procedural tools necessary to hold accountable anyone proven to be involved in acts of torture and to bring them to justice, in line with the provisions of the Palestinian Basic Law and the international conventions to which the State of Palestine has acceded—chief among them the Convention Against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Allowing these violations to persist without accountability strips the law of its meaning and renders legal texts mere theoretical commitments with no practical application, thereby entrenching a culture of impunity and undermining the foundations of justice and the rule of law. Achieving justice for victims and prosecuting those responsible for acts of torture is the cornerstone of building a legal system where human dignity is upheld, and rights and freedoms are protected. EndLawyers for JusticeIssued on 26-06-2025
Statement by Lawyers for Justice on the Fourth Anniversary of the Assassination of Political Activist Nizar Banat
Tuesday, 24 June 2025 Today marks the fourth anniversary of the assassination of the political activist, dissident, and human rights defender Nizar Banat, who was violently arrested and beaten to death at dawn on 24 June 2021 by members of the Preventive Security Service, following a complaint filed by the Public Prosecutor accusing him of “defamation against the authority.” This anniversary comes amid complex political and security conditions, as Israeli occupation crimes continue against our people, especially in the Gaza Strip, which is facing an ongoing campaign of genocide, alongside an unprecedented escalation and crackdown in the occupied West Bank. Regarding the case of Nizar Banat’s assassination, the trial proceedings have remained stagnant since sessions began in September 2021, marked by unjustified delays and serious doubts about the seriousness of the process—particularly after the release of the defendants within a year of the crime, in clear violation of judicial norms and military court protocols for major crimes. This anniversary also coincides with the continued policy of political repression by Palestinian security services. Since Nizar’s assassination, the group has documented hundreds of cases of arbitrary arrest, torture, and ill-treatment against activists and political dissidents. Additionally, 22 citizens and 6 security personnel have been killed since 7 October 2023, with no accountability for most of these crimes, except in cases where indictments were filed against political activists for the killing of security personnel. On this occasion, Lawyers for Justice emphasizes the following: May Nizar Banat and all who have paid with their lives for speaking the truth rest in peace, and may all prisoners of conscience be set free.
Lawyers for Justice Group Annual Report 2024
Lawyers for Justice launches the report “Cybercrime: Between Implementation and Restriction” with support from the Swiss Representative Office and the European Union.
Lawyers for Justice launches the report “Cybercrime: Between Implementation and Restriction” with support from the Swiss Representative Office and the European Union. Lawyers for Justice launched its new report, “Cybercrime: Between Implementation and Restriction,” with support from the Swiss Representative Office in Palestine and in cooperation with the European Union. The launch event was held at the European Police Force (EUPOL COPPS) headquarters in Ramallah, and was attended by diplomatic representatives, local and international human rights organizations, as well as activists and human rights defenders. The meeting opened with a welcoming speech by Ms. Justine Hessler, Deputy Head of Mission at the Swiss Representative Office, followed by a speech by Ms. Basma Adawin, Director of the Human Rights and Civil Society Programme at the Office of the European Union Representative in Palestine. During the event, the Lawyers for Justice group presented a report, highlighting the violations contained in Cybercrime Law No. 10 of 2018, which contravene international treaties and agreements to which the State of Palestine has acceded. The group also reviewed the recommendations it had previously submitted to His Excellency the Minister of Justice, in his capacity as Chairman of the Advisory Committee for Reviewing the Law.The meeting featured activists such as Mona Shtayyeh, Jihad Abdo, and Roaa Razmak, who shared their personal experiences and those of human rights defenders with harassment and legal prosecution under the Cybercrime Law. It is worth noting that the Lawyers for Justice group submitted a copy of the report to His Excellency the Minister of Justice, as part of its efforts to contribute to the review and amendment of the Cybercrime Law in line with international human rights standards.
Urgent appeal for the release of students arrested at Birzeit University
Public statement by the Lawyers for Justice Group Lawyers for justice is monitoring with concern the continued detention of five Birzeit University students on the background of their on-campus student and trade union activities. The group has applied for the release of the arrested students, but these applications were rejected, in clear violation of their legal and constitutional rights. The arrest of these students constitutes a violation of freedom of opinion and expression, of freedom of association and of their right to engage in their legitimate activities. Such detention also hinders their academic career and reflects a repression of students’ freedoms. The Group expresses deep concern about the concerns raised by some detainees before the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Ramallah Magistrate’s Court judge about torture and ill-treatment in detention These arrests are contrary to the State of Palestine’s international obligations under the treaties and conventions it has signed, which guarantee the right of individuals to engage in trade union work and protect their constitutional rights. A group of lawyers for justice makes an urgent appeal to local and international human rights and civil institutions to press for the immediate release of the arrested students and to ensure the protection of their fundamental rights. The Group also stresses the need to maintain and protect on-campus trade union work as a fundamental right for students to express and assemble peacefully. We affirm in the group of lawyers for justice our full readiness to pursue this case using all available legal means, and we call on all parties concerned to respect human rights and ensure the immediate release of the arrested students. Issued in 15-12-2024. Till here, Lawyers for Justice.