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
Statement Issued by Lawyers for Justice On the Ongoing Prosecution of Activists from the “Enough, Telecom Companies!” Movement in the So-Called “15 Million Dollar Case”
Lawyers for Justice continues to monitor the ongoing trial of a group of activists and human rights defenders involved in the social movement “Enough, Telecom Companies!” in the civil lawsuit known as the “15 Million Dollar Case,” which was filed by the Palestinian Telecommunications Company against several activists over their posts and opinions calling for the reduction of telecommunications prices and an end to monopoly in this vital sector. Court sessions in this case have been ongoing for more than four years, amid serious concerns about the use of the judiciary as a tool to silence critical voices—especially since the activists’ expressions fall squarely within the right to freedom of opinion and expression, as well as the right to organize and engage in public accountability. Lawyers for Justice affirms that this case sets a dangerous precedent in attempting to intimidate civil society and activists from performing their oversight role and demanding people’s rights. It also imposes a significant legal and moral burden on those accused in the case. In this context, the organization calls on local and international human rights institutions, as well as bodies responsible for monitoring freedom of expression and the protection of human rights defenders, to attend the court session tomorrow, Tuesday, at the Magistrate’s Court in Ramallah, to closely monitor the proceedings and to exert pressure toward ending the prosecution of activists for their opinions and peaceful advocacy. Lawyers for JusticeRamallah – Palestine10/11/2025
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
Statement on the Defamation Campaign Targeting Lawyers for Justice and Its Director, Advocate Mohannad Karajah, Based on Fabricated Posts
Since the evening of Saturday, 18 October 2025, Lawyers for Justice has been monitoring a coordinated campaign of incitement and defamation targeting the organization and its director, Advocate Mohannad Karajah. The campaign is being carried out through suspicious Facebook pages and accounts—some fake, others duplicated—that deliberately publish fabricated and manipulated posts falsely attributed to the organization and to Advocate Karajah. These acts constitute a complete criminal offense under the Cybercrimes Law and pose a serious threat to the organization’s human-rights work. From the first moment, the organization and Advocate Karajah publicly denied these false posts and confirmed that they had no connection to them. However, the campaign continued in a systematic and synchronized manner and was accompanied by malicious reports and complaints submitted to the Office of the Attorney General, aimed at pressuring authorities to issue arrest warrants or punitive measures. Similar complaints were submitted to the Palestinian Bar Association, clearly reflecting an intent to mislead public opinion, distort the truth, and retaliate against the organization’s work in defending human rights and public freedoms. The organization has initiated communication with several local and international human-rights bodies concerned with the protection of human-rights defenders, informing them of the severity and scope of the incitement campaign. A formal report on the content of this campaign was also submitted to the Palestinian Bar Association and the Office of the Attorney General to pursue those responsible for the crimes of incitement, defamation, threats, and falsification. The organization has also documented statements made by the “Spokesperson for the Security Services” in a media interview, in which he relied on the fabricated narrative being circulated—thus attempting to influence public opinion and fuel hate speech and incitement. This represents a serious overreach into the domain of the judiciary, the sole authority empowered to adjudicate such claims, and constitutes a violation of the Palestinian Basic Law. Accordingly, the organization affirms the following: End of Statement
Statement Issued by Lawyers for JusticeRegarding the Circulation of Fabricated Posts Attributed to the Organization and Its Director
Lawyers for Justice declares that, as part of its efforts to refute and disprove the false allegations made by suspicious social-media pages—which have attributed fabricated posts to the organization and to its director, Advocate Mohannad Karajah, particularly on Facebook—it has initiated legal procedures to pursue those involved in creating and promoting false and misleading content aimed at undermining its human-rights work and legal activities in the defense of human rights. In this context, the organization announces that it has contacted several international human-rights institutions and organizations, which have in turn referred all fabricated materials to their specialized departments to verify the authenticity and origin of the posts. These organizations are currently coordinating with Facebook’s headquarters to establish the true source of the content, identify those responsible for producing and disseminating it—including individuals located in several countries who appear to be acting under instructions and directives intended to deter the organization from continuing its human-rights mission and to deviate it from its rights-based path. In this same context, Lawyers for Justice calls on all competent authorities to fulfill their responsibilities in verifying the authenticity of these posts using the means and tools at their disposal, rather than being drawn behind fabricated content—particularly since Lawyers for Justice is widely known for its legal integrity and human-rights discourse aligned with international human-rights standards. The organization also notes that throughout its years of work, it has faced numerous campaigns and conspiracies intended to undermine it, manipulate its positions, or pressure it into abandoning its principled commitment to human rights. Accordingly, the organization affirms that it awaits the outcomes of the specialized investigations and correspondences regarding these fabricated posts, and reiterates that it will take legal action against any individual or entity proven to be involved. The results of these inquiries will be published on the organization’s official page. The organization further clarifies that it has been operating in the cities of the occupied West Bank since its establishment, and that circumstances have never allowed it to work in the Gaza Strip—particularly given that it is not registered as an institution, organization, or association with the Palestinian Ministry of Interior.
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.
Statement issued by Lawyers for Justice on the Postponement of the Trial of the Defendants in the Killing of Political Activist Nizar Banat
On the morning of Monday, September 29, 2025, a hearing was held in the trial of the defendants accused of killing the late political and human rights activist Nizar Banat. During the session, the defense attorney for the defendants requested additional time to present the defense evidence and to summon Dr. Mohammad Al-Shalaldeh, former Minister of Justice and head of the investigative committee formed by the Palestinian Authority following the assassination incident, to testify. It should be noted that this is the third hearing that has been postponed for the same reason due to the absence of the aforementioned witness. The group believes that the continued postponements without any progress in the trial proceedings conflict with the guarantees of a fair trial, which require a swift process that respects the rights of all parties—particularly the rights of the late activist Banat, his family, and Palestinian society as a whole. At the conclusion of the proceedings, the court decided to adjourn the session until October 6, 2025. Lawyers for Justice29.9.2025