Press Statement: Lawyers for Justice Group: Continued Detention of Political Activist Omar Assaf Raises Serious Concerns
Lawyers for Justice Group is following with grave concern the continued detention of political activist and human rights defender Omar Assaf, aged (76), who has been held at the Preventive Security detention center since the morning of last Thursday. According to Mr. Assaf’s testimony during an interrogation session attended by the Group’s lawyers, approximately twenty security personnel raided his home, conducted a search of the premises, and confiscated some of his personal belongings. He further stated that the questioning focused on his participation in social and political activism, particularly his involvement with the “14 Million Popular Conference”, as well as statements issued by the conference and his activity on social media platforms. Charges reportedly brought against him include “inciting sectarian strife” and “defamation against the authorities.” The Group notes that Mr. Assaf exercised his right to remain silent before the Public Prosecution during the course of the investigation. Lawyers for Justice Group emphasizes that the State of Palestine is bound by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as other international conventions guaranteeing the rights to freedom of opinion and expression and to peaceful political participation. The Group considers that the continued detention of Mr. Omar Assaf constitutes a serious infringement on these rights and occurs within a broader context of pressure against human rights defenders and political activists. Such practices stand in clear contradiction with the provisions of the Palestinian Basic Law. Accordingly, the Group issues an urgent call to the competent authorities to: Immediately release the activist Omar Assaf.Guarantee his right to a fair trial in accordance with international standards.Respect public rights and freedoms, foremost among them freedom of opinion and expression and the right to peaceful political activity.The continued detention of Mr. Assaf represents a dangerous precedent that undermines the foundations of democratic practice and erodes the legal guarantees established under Palestinian law and international conventions. Freedom for Omar AssafLawyers for Justice Group
Statement Issued by “Lawyers for Justice” Regarding the Summons of Union Activist Jihad Abu Sharar for Investigation Before the Public Prosecution
Lawyers for Justice is following with grave concern the measures taken against union activist and teacher Jihad Taha Abu Sharar, which infringe upon her constitutional and legal rights most notably her summons to appear before the Public Prosecution in Dura on Thursday, April 2, 2026. According to statements by Ms. Abu Sharar, she was previously subjected to a forced retirement penalty in 2024 due to her union activities. The Administrative Court subsequently ruled in her favor in December 2025, issuing a final and binding decision for her reinstatement. This ruling represented a victory for the rule of law and the mandatory implementation of judicial verdicts. However, the Minister of Education’s decision to re-impose the same penalty and issue a new decree confirming its continuation constitutes a blatant violation of an enforceable judicial ruling. This serves as an unacceptable evasion of the judiciary’s authority and has resulted in serious humanitarian consequences, including the termination of her health insurance. The summoning of Jihad Abu Sharar for investigation in this context raises serious concerns that it is an extension of restrictive measures aimed at her legitimate exercise of union activity a right guaranteed by the Palestinian Basic Law and relevant international conventions. Accordingly, “Lawyers for Justice” emphasizes the following: The group further appeals to His Excellency the Attorney General to intervene immediately to halt any prosecution against teacher Jihad Abu Sharar regarding her union activity and to ensure that the instruments of justice are not used as a means of pressure or harassment. The group asserts that the targeting of Jihad Abu Sharar stems from her role in defending the rights of Palestinian teachers. This follows a troubling pattern where several of her colleagues were previously referred for investigation before committees at the Ministry of Education. We stress that official authorities must commit to respecting union work and safeguarding freedoms foremost among them the freedom of opinion and expression in alignment with the international treaties signed by the State of Palestine. Issued on: March 31, 2026 Lawyers for Justice Group
Position Paper Issued by Lawyers for Justice Group Regarding the Violations and Arbitrary Measures Taken Against Striking Teachers in Palestine
Lawyers for Justice Group expresses deep concern regarding the punitive measures and escalating violations targeting teachers participating in the ongoing strike, which began on 13 October 2025, following the reduction of salaries to 50% since June 2025. This has placed thousands of teachers under severe financial hardship, compelling them to resort to strike action as a lawful and peaceful means to demand their legitimate financial and professional rights. The protest movement gradually escalated into a full strike after months of incomplete salary disbursement, alongside rising living costs that exceeded the actual income teachers received. As a result, many teachers lost their ability to sustain a decent standard of living and meet basic family commitments. Despite persistent appeals, the authorities have not meaningfully responded to teachers’ demands nor initiated a serious negotiation process. Instead, restrictive measures were adopted in an attempt to pressure teachers into ending the strike without addressing the root causes of the crisis. Based on data and testimonies collected through the electronic reporting form, Lawyers for Justice Group has monitored a wide range of violations targeting striking teachers—administrative, financial, security-related, and social. The most prominent recorded practices include: These practices reflect the transformation of administrative authority into a pressure and punitive tool, rather than a regulatory mechanism. Some of these violations rise to the level of serious interference with a constitutionally-protected right to strike, creating an unsafe environment for teachers. Lawyers for Justice Group stresses that the teachers’ strike is legal and legitimate, falling under the framework of Decree-Law No. (11) of 2017 regulating the right of public employees to strike, which explicitly permits strike action as a legitimate means of protest and rights-based demands. Therefore, classifying the strike as “unauthorized absenteeism” constitutes a misapplication of legal reference, and any punitive measures based on such classification are unlawful and subject to annulment. The teachers’ strike is protected under: Article (19) of the Palestinian Basic Law, which guarantees freedom of opinion and expression:“Freedom of opinion is guaranteed. Every person has the right to express their opinion and to publish it in speech, writing, or other means of expression or art, in accordance with the law.” Decree-Law No. 11 of 2017 regulating the right to strike in the civil service, which stands as the legal reference governing teachers’ strike cases. Any administrative or security measure aimed at pressuring, threatening, or retaliating against striking teachers constitutes a clear violation of constitutional rights and the law. Lawyers for Justice Group: ConclusionContinuing to address the teachers’ crisis through pressure and intimidation will not resolve the situation. Instead, it escalates tensions and undermines the rights of a sector that forms the backbone of the education system. Strike action is not disruption, but a legitimate outcry for rights—one that deserves respect, not punishment. Lawyers for Justice Group reaffirms its commitment to monitoring the situation legally and documenting all violations against teachers until their lawful demands are fully met.
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
Movement for a Dignified Life for Persons with Disabilities in Palestine
Enough, Telecom Companies Movement (Bikaffi ya Sharikat al-Ittisalat)
Combat Corruption Movement
We Want to Live Movement
The Palestinian Popular Conference Movement-14 Million
Palestinian Labor Movement
