Lawyers for Justice and Al-Baydar Organization for the Defense of Bedouin Rights Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Ramallah – In a significant step towards strengthening the rights of Bedouins in the West Bank, the Lawyers for Justice group and the Al-Baydar Organization for the Defense of Bedouin Rights have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in documenting violations against Bedouins. The signing took place during a meeting held in the city of Ramallah. The meeting brought together Attorney Muhannad Karajah, Director of Lawyers for Justice, and Attorney Hassan Mleihat, Director of Al-Baydar Organization for the Defense of Bedouin Rights. Discussions focused on key issues faced by Bedouins in the West Bank, particularly in the Jericho and Jordan Valley areas. Topics included numerous violations committed against them, such as land and pasture confiscation, the displacement of Bedouin communities, the imposition of fines and penalties by the occupation, and continuous attacks carried out by settlers. Additionally, the meeting addressed the publication of human rights reports to document these violations and the advocacy for Bedouin issues through coordination with local and international human rights organizations. This effort aims to support human rights and protect the Bedouin community from these arbitrary practices. This collaboration is part of a broader initiative to strengthen partnerships between Palestinian and international human rights institutions, ensuring justice and equality for Bedouins in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Meeting at the Ministry of Justice with Counselor Youssef Abdel Samad on behalf of the Minister of Justice
On Thursday, January 23, 2025, Lawyers for Justice submitted a study on the Cybercrime Law to the Ministry of Justice, supported by the Swiss Representative Office as part of the project “Enhancing Digital Rights: Protecting Freedom of Expression in Palestine” in partnership with local and international civil society organizations. The submission was made by Lawyers for Justice, represented by Attorney Ameera Al-Badareen and researcher Ghaida Labadi, in the presence of Ms. Hadba Askar, representing the Legal Clinic at Birzeit University. The study was received on behalf of the Minister of Justice, Counselor Sharhabil Al-Za’im, by Legal Advisor Yousef Abd Al-Samad. The meeting focused on reviewing the Cybercrime Law according to the study, especially concerning the contradictions of its provisions with legal principles, procedural laws, and international human rights law. The observations were presented based on legal applications and cases monitored by Lawyers for Justice as part of their legal representation for each case. Attorney Ameera Al-Badareen highlighted the key concerns, violations, and abuses that took place against citizens, human rights activists, journalists, and civil society bloggers on the internet, with particular focus on the advisory opinion of the ISLP project as outlined in the study. Ms. Hadba Askar presented the mechanism for involving students from the Legal Clinic at Birzeit University in discussions and legal commentary on the provisions of the law. Researcher Ghaida Labadi concluded with recommendations, the most important of which are adopting a legal stance regarding the clarification of basic definitions, ensuring proportional penalties, enhancing privacy protection, and introducing independent oversight mechanisms. These recommendations had previously been approved unanimously by the advisory committee made up of human rights defenders, trade unionists, journalists, and civil society organizations, including the Independent Commission for Human Rights, Istiqlal Foundation, the Office of the High Commissioner, and other local and international institutions. These recommendations were preceded by consultative meetings and the issuance of a policy paper. Legal Advisor Yousef Abd Al-Samad expressed the Ministry of Justice’s openness to cooperate and incorporate these legal observations into the review of the issued decrees and amendments, ensuring the rights and freedoms of Palestinian citizens are protected. The Ministry is also open to community dialogue with all concerned parties, especially security agencies, in cooperation with civil society organizations, particularly with the launch of the Palestinian Ministry of Justice’s electronic public consultation platform and legal observatory, to which cooperation on this matter was also invited. Issued on: January 26, 2025Ramallah
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.
The wining of the human rights defender Lawyer Diala Ayesh of the award of “Index on Censorship”
*press release* “Lawyers for Justice” values the wining of the human rights defender Lawyer Diala Ayesh of the award of “Index on Censorship” in London, which was pronounced yesterday, awarding her for her outstanding role in protecting human rights and freedom of opinion and expression in Palestine. This tribute reflects activist Diala Ayesh unwavering and sustained commitment in the face of violations against Palestinian citizens, particularly in the area of freedom of expression, which face significant challenges under occupation. Lawyers for Justice Group also states that they had nominated lawyer Diala Ayesh for this award in recognition of her outstanding rights efforts, despite being detained in Israeli occupation prisons, where she is serving a period of administrative detention without trial. Her ongoing struggle from within prisons is a powerful symbol of resilience and upholding human rights in the face of oppression. Lawyers for Justice Congratulates Diala Ayesh, her family and all human rights activists, for this important achievement, stresses the importance of continued support and support for Palestinian detainees and the strengthening of domestic and international efforts to achieve justice and protect human rights in Palestine. Lawyers for Justice 21st November 2024
Public Statement issued by Lawyers for Justice Group regarding the trial of the human rights activist – Nizar Banat.
Lawyers for justice Group follows the continuation of the trial proceedings in the case of the murder of political and human rights activist Nizar Banat, whose first hearings began on 7-9-2021 and continue to date. Another trial hearing was held on 17-11-2024, which was postponed to complete the evidence of the accused’s agent. The hearing was postponed to this end until the date of the 01-12-2024. The Group notes that the trial proceedings, which have been for more than three years, remain in the role of providing defense evidence, while more than five hearings to bring a defense witness to the accused are frequently postponed. In this context, the Group of Lawyers for Justice emphasizes the need to respect the guarantees of a fair trial, including expeditious adjudication of the criminal case. Till here, Issued in 19/11/2024. Lawyers for Justice.
Meeting with the Ministry of Justice.
On Sunday, 6-10-2024, Lawyers for justice group held a meeting with the Minister of Justice, Chancellor Sharhabil al-Zaim, in his office in the presence of the Undersecretary of Justice, Professor Ahmed Zabaleh. During the meeting, lawyers for justice expressed about their new project with the support of the Swiss Representative in Palestine and his relationship with the Ministry of Justice. The meeting addressed several issues related to the review of national laws, including a review of the Cybercrime Law. The Minister of Justice expressed the Ministry of Justice’s openness to all forms of cooperation and consultation and to the principle of partnering with Palestinian human rights and civil society institutions in any new ideas and discussing all issues and draft laws at the Council of Ministers table, in order to achieve the goal we all work towards serving the Palestinian citizen and achieving the public interest and protecting public rights and freedoms. The Minister of Justice reaffirmed the State of Palestine’s commitment to harmonizing legislation with all international conventions and treaties signed by the State of Palestine. Both parties expressed their willingness to cooperate in achieving the project’s objectives with the support of the Swiss Representative in Palestine. Till here, Issued in 8-10-2024. Lawyers for Justice
Lawyers for Justice held a meeting with Lawyers for Lawyers organization
Lawyers for Justice held a meeting on Tuesday, 9-7-2024, with Lawyers for Lawyers organization which is based in the Netherlands. During the visual communication meeting, the group welcomed the meeting, in which we discussed many issues related to the work of lawyers and human rights defenders and the harassment and incitement of lawyers in Palestine because of their legal activity, including the work of Lawyers for Justice. During the meeting on Palestinian Lawyer’s Day, the group detailed the prosecution of Palestinian lawyers by the Israeli forces , who have arrested nearly 30 lawyers and lawyers since the beginning of the aggression against the Gaza Strip in October last year. In addition to referring to the laws passed by the Israeli occupation forces following October 7, affecting Palestinian prisoners’ rights to occupation prisons and violating fair trial guarantees. The group also raised the harassment and incitement of lawyers by the executive branch because of their activism in the legal and legal defense of human rights defenders. Lawyers for Lawyers expressed solidarity with the work of Palestinian lawyers and the work of Lawyers for Justice in its defense of human rights In this context, the Group was informed of the Organization’s intention to issue a rejection statement of position condemning actions aimed at the work of legal and legal lawyers in the defense of human rights, It was also agreed to develop the relationship between the two parties during the next phase. Till here, Lawyers for Justice, Issued in 11-7-2024.
The trial of three activists of the enough telecommunication companies movement.
Three activists from Enough telecommunication companies movement, Jihad Abdo, Izz-aldeen Zoul and Musa al-Qaysieh, will be tried tomorrow, Tuesday, in Ramallah Magistrates’ Court charging them of defamation based on a complaint filed by the Palestinian Telecommunication Company (Paltel), due to their social and trade union activity to demand reduction in telecommunications prices and not to violate consumer protection laws and regulations. The hearing followed the postponement of the case on 30-6-2024 to enable the complainant’s agent, represented by the Palestinian telecommunications company, to comment on a memorandum of the names of the defense witnesses in the case. The Ramallah Magistrate’s Court had authorized on the 18-4-2024 to call defense witnesses, including the Chairman of the Palestinian Telecommunications Company, to testify before the Court before reversing their summons at a 30-6-2024 hearing at the request of the complainant’s agent who had shown the court that the purpose of calling the prosecuted witnesses was to procrastinate and procrastinate the case. Deferral of their summons at the request of the complainant’s agent. Lawyers for Justice is concerned about any decision by the Magistrate’s Court to prevent the summoning of the said witnesses, which detracts from the right of defense, noting that the previous hearing was the first session for the defense to present its evidence in the case that has been pending since 2020. It took more than four years for the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the complainant to submit the evidence, which the group considers to be a flagrant violation of fair trial guarantees and an inequitable violation of the rights of the accused. Till Here, Lawyers for Justice, Issued in 3-7-2024.
Postponement of trial of alleged murderers of political and human rights activist Nizar Banat.
The trial of the accused in the case of the murder of political and human rights activist Nizar Banat was held at the Ramallah Military Court on Monday, 20-5-2024 During the trial, the defense counsel of all 14 previously released defendants, presented to the court witness Samir Abu Zarour, who’s retired since 2017. He was the head of the autopsy department of the Ministry of Justice. prior to his retirement in 2017. He represented the Independent Human Rights Commission in attendance at the autopsy of the late Nizar Banat following his murder on 24 July 2021 without participating in the autopsy. During the ongoing trial since September 2021, the court heard the testimony of the doctor and he was discussed by the defense counsel and the military prosecution. He also stated that he hadn’t applied for the examination, and what can be highlighted in this context is the assertion by the defense witness of the accused that the cause of death of Nizar Banat was due to an abnormal cause of death. In addition to determining the proportion of injuries on the dead person’s body by 21% of the body area, Distributed on the head, face and shoulder from the back, upper and lower limbs and back area, The witness also stated that these blows to the deceased’s body did not result to death, according to him. And the witness concluded that the cause of death, according to the autopsy committee, was caused by traumatic trauma resulting in death, the cause of death, from the witness’ point of view, was due to asphyxiation because of congestion in the face of the deceased, as described. At the end of the trial proceedings, the defense counsel requested to notice a witness and to be brought, and also requested that the next trial hearing be confidential, so that the testimony of the said witness would relate to national security, for that reasons, next hearing was postponed to 3.6-2024. In this context, Lawyer for Justice considers that the holding of the trial to be confidential contravenes the revolutionary Code of Criminal Procedure in force of 1979 and its amendments. Till here, Lawyers for Justice Issued in 21/5/2024.
Israeli military court in Ofer holds appeal hearing on the administrative decision to arrest human rights defender Diala Ayesh.
An appeal hearing was held today Thursday 16/5/2024, at the Military Occupation Court-Ofer of the prisoner of occupation, lawyer and human rights defender Diala Ayesh, to ascertain her previous four-month administrative arrest warrant, which expires by tomorrow Friday 17/5/2024, unless a new administrative arrest warrant is issued against her. The occupation army arrested lawyer Ayesh at the military checkpoint called Container in the south of the occupied West Bank on 17-1-2024 before referring her to administrative detention for four months. The prisoner suffers from poor conditions of detention as other prisoners and detainees in Israeli occupation prisons, particularly prisoners who got arrested during the war and aggression against the Gaza Strip and the cities of the occupied West Bank following October 7, 2023, in the context of war and aggression against the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Prisoners of the Gaza Strip, which reports on the death of approximately 20 prisoners since the beginning of the war, Other than Gaza prisoners deprived of all kinds of legal representation before military courts or visits by lawyers or know the fate of those who were alive or martyred during or after the arrest. Prisoner Ayesh, who has been in Damon prison for four months, spoke during today’s session about the conditions of her detention, which reflect the situation of Palestinian women prisoners in occupation prisons; This reflects the deterioration of living conditions inside the prison, the reduction of the break at the prison, the reduction of food and the accumulation of detainees in each room, forcing four women prisoners inside her room to sleep on the floor. And the lack of clothes and covers, the lack of basic needs for women prisoners, as well as the poor handling during counting prisoners that is more frequent per day than before the war, In addition to the limited visits of lawyers, the continued deprivation of purchasing of needs from the Cafeteria (prison cafeteria). Lawyers for Justice fears of any renewal of the administrative detention of lawyer and human rights defender Diala Ayesh particularly with the expiration of the current order tomorrow, Friday 17.5.2024, and without a verdict on the appeal at today’s hearing The Group notes that all detainees under administrative detention are arbitrarily detained without any charges, on the basis of the Mandatory Emergency Law, which is contrary to all guarantees of a fair trial and is also totally incompatible with the right to self-determination. Till here, Lawyer for Justice Issued in 16/5/2024.