More than 200 arrests and detentions since May 2021
The escalation of arrest campaigns carried out by the security services in the occupied West Bank governorates since the beginning of last October reflects the deterioration of the human rights situation in Palestine. The group has documented dozens of arrests of citizens and activists on various backgrounds because of their political affiliation or the exercise of freedom of opinion and expression.While the number of detainees, between those arrested or released since mid-May last, has so far exceeded nearly two hundred arrests;these numbers are the worst in years in the human rights record in the Palestinian Authority security-controlled areas. The group’s documentation indicates that most of these arrests were without presenting an arrest or search warrant issued by the competent authorities represented by the Public Prosecution Authority. Once these arrests are carried out, the procedures for legalizing them will begin with competent prosecutions. This is to provide more space that allows the investigative authorities of the security services to take over the powers of the Public Prosecution Office. And to prolong detention periods which have often become a tool of punishment in the hands of the security services against political and opinion activists.The group also observed unjustified violent behavior often practiced against activists during arrest, along with force and miss-treatment.Lawyers for Justice warns against the continuation of these illegal campaigns and stresses that the Public Prosecution office must take a strict stance towards these behaviors that gives a discourse that justifies these grave violations of the human rights situation, it also calls for the immediate release of all detainees and the closure of political detention prisons.
The arrest of the human rights activist and defender, Jasser Jaser
Lawyers for Justice have followed this day, 5/31/2020 The arrest of the human rights activist and defender, Jasser Jaser. who was arrested against the background of what he was published on the Facebook page, “Bekfi ya shrikat alitisalat”-This is enough Communications companies- which is a page of social mobility .The Public Prosecutor accuses the activist Jasser of “transmitting insulting news using communication devices” in violation of the “controversial” cybercrimes law.Accordingly, lawyers for justice believe that his continued detention for the second consecutive day, on the background of his publications, which is demanding accountability for corruption and corrupt people, is only a trial of the conscience of honorable people with the aim of blocking any social union activity aimed at correcting social and economic policies to achieve the desired social justice.Based on the foregoing, Lawyers for Justice have demanded that the relevant authorities issue a decision to stop the prosecution and detention of trade unionists and human rights defenders. emphasize the need of closing all the judicial files that impede any trade union activity and/ or restrict freedom of opinion and expression guaranteed under the domestic and international laws.
The General Intelligence prevents to publish a book for a prisoner
The General Intelligence Service has banned the publication of the prisoner’s book “The Path of the Truthful” in the Israeli jails, Mohammed Subhi Abu Tabikh. One of the printing presses in Beitunia refused to publish the book in Palestinian libraries after the families of the prisoners went to it under the pretext, and there was a decision by the General Intelligence in Ramallah to prevent the publication and the distribution. Lawyers for Justice had applied to the Attorney General to allow the publication of the book as partly affecting the right to culture and education. Whereas, banning the publication of the book violates the principles protected by Palestine, by preserving the cultural situation of Palestinian prisoners inside the Israeli jails. Abu Tabikh has spent more than 15 years in Israeli jails and is sentenced to life in prison. The prisoner Mohammad Abu Tabikh, had contacted lawyers for justice in order to help him legally to publish the book, which was banned by the General Intelligence Service, and lawyers for justice volunteered to provide any agency to him in the future.
Lara Kanan
Ms. Lara Kanan is a 33 year old Palestinian journalist who works as the Nablus Representative for Altra News. She also works for the Mada Center for Developments and Media Freedoms. She is a member of the Journalist Union of Palestine. She has no political affiliations. The June 30, 2018 protest against the blockade of Gaza was organized by factions of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in the Martyr’s Square in the center of Nablus. Ms. Kanan believes she was targeted by these individuals because she is a member of the media. Before taking part in the assault, one of these four individuals asked Ms. Kanan to stop filming the protest. When she refused to stop filming, he was joined by three other men and they all attacked her, including by pulling her hair, hitting her arm, and dragging her backwards. After the assault, they were able to flee, despite the presence of security personnel in the area. On July 2, 2018, Ms. Kanan filed a criminal complaint against these four individuals with the Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Nablus Court of Reconciliation. While she did not name the individuals specifically in the complaint, she is aware of two of their identities and is willing to come forward with their names. On July 3, 2018, Ms. Kanan went to Rafidia Surgical Hospital in Nablus. She had pain in her left upper extremity, neck, and back and the physician observed that she had cyanosis and gave her medical attention.