Arrests due to practicing right to peaceful assembly (March 2021- March 2022)
The Group had followed up 63 cases arrested due to practicing their right to peaceful assembly (35.1% of the arrested cases during the given period) You can view the electronic copy of the annual report (March 2021-March 2022), entitled ” Ongoing Crisis: The Systematic Nature of the Suppression of Freedoms in the West Bank” through the following link: https://lawyers4justice.ps/ongoing-crisis-the-systematic…/ #Ongoing_Crisis
The “Lawyers for Justice” group condemns the massacre committed by the occupation forces against our people in Nablus, in which eleven martyrs were martyred.
The “Lawyers for Justice” group condemns the massacre committed by the occupying forces against our people in the centre of the occupied city of Nablus this afternoon, the group mourns the eleven martyrs who were martyred in the crime committed by the occupying forces, and wishes a speedy recovery for tens of those wounded as a result of the attack, which lasted for several hours. The group asserts that this attack comes in the context of the ongoing war waged by the colonial war machine against our people to prevent them from exercising their right to self-determination guaranteed under international human rights conventions, which emphasises the legitimacy of resisting the occupation, which was also emphasised by the United Nations General Assembly in many resolutions. In the face of these ongoing crimes against our people, the group deplores the international community’s continued silence and standing by the “occupying state” while ignoring and denying the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination, the group also emphasises the legitimacy of legitimate acts within the framework of self-determ … Lawyers for Justice February 22, 2023
Violating the right to physical and mental safety (March 2021- March 2022)
Regarding the testimonies, in violating the right to physical and mental safety, 85% of the cases followed up by the Group, reported that their right to physical and mental safety was violated. #ongoing_crisis
Administrative Detention (March 2021- March 2022)
The arbitrary arrest cases that had not been presented to any court, were 31 cases including the cases of remand by the governor. #Ongoing_Crisis
179 arrests from March 2021 – March 2022
During the second year of declaring the State of emergency (till 31/3/2022) “Lawyers for Justice Group” – will be referred to as the “Group” in the current report, due to its various members – had followed up approximately 179 detentions; Through human rights follow-up and legal representation. Additionally, the Group had documented other violations other than detention cases. #Ongoing_Crisis
Three hearings were held today at the Ramallah Magistrate’s Court for five human rights defenders, following the incidents that followed the assassination of the martyr Nizar Banat.
Today, February 19, 2023, the Ramallah Magistrate Court held three trial sessions for five political activists and human rights defenders, who had previously been arrested on the basis of their participation in demonstrations condemning the assassination of martyr Nizar Banat and/or expressing their opinions about the assassination of martyr Nizar Banat, they are Salem Abdel-Rahman (Al-Qatsh), Jihad Abdo, Ezz El-Din Zaoul, Fakhri Jaradat, and Osama Jaradat. Fakhri Jaradat is being prosecuted in two separate files, one of as a single defendant, and the other with his son, Osama. Although Qatash was arrested by the occupation authorities nearly a year ago, he is still being prosecuted on the aforementioned basis. Although their trial started two years ago, their sessions are still postponed due to the absence of witnesses of the Public Prosecution who are members and officers of the Palestinian police, and by their absence, their files lack of guarantees to a fair trial that must be available. For all of this, domestic law and international agreements and treaties guarantee the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and to participate in peaceful assemblies. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights stipulated in article (19) thereof that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.” And stipulated in Article (20/1) “Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.” Therefore, the prosecution of political activists and human rights defenders, based on their exercise of their freedom to express their opinions, or their participation in peaceful assemblies, is a violation of the local laws that guarantee these rights, in addition to the treaties and agreements to which the Palestinian Authority has committed itself. … Lawyers for Justice February 19, 2023
Press conference to publish a report entitled “Ongoing Crisis; The Systematic Nature of the Suppression of Freedoms in the WestBank”
The “Lawyers for Justice” group is honored to invite you to attend its press conference, which will include the publication of a report on the arbitrary arrests during the Second year of the state of emergency, entitled “Ongoing Crisis; The Systematic Nature of the Suppression of Freedoms in the West Bank” on Thursday the 23th of February 2023 at 12:00 pm at Lawyers for Justice – Al Bireh – Al Balou’ – behind Bun Zheiman.
Qalqilya Magistrate Court decides to release university student Abdullah Obaid
Today, “Lawyers for Justice” group obtained a decision from Qalqilya Magistrate’s Court to release the political detainee and university student, Abdullah Obaid, after his family submitted the prescribed guarantee of 100 Jordanian dinars as a cash bail, and 3000 Jordanian dinars as a personal guarantee. It is noteworthy that Obaid was arrested on January 30, 2023, and he was arrested in front of An-Najah University, where he is studying, by the Preventive Security Service, by officers driving a civilian car. Obaid’s arrest came against the backdrop of political and partisan pluralism, in addition to his student union work at the university. Accordingly; “Lawyers for Justice” group condemns the arrest of students and interrogation with them about their student union work within their universities, which is guaranteed by the international agreements and treaties to which the Palestinian Authority has committed itself, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and what is stated in the text of Article (22/2) thereof, which states “No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those which are prescribed by law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order (ordre public), the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. This article shall not prevent the imposition of lawful restrictions on members of the armed forces and of the police in their exercise of this right.” In addition to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and what is stated in Article (23/4) thereof, which states that “Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests” The group emphasizes the need to provide a safe environment within universities so that students can enjoy the freedom of student union work. … February 12, 2023 Lawyers for Justice
Postponement of the trial of the activists accused by the Palestinian Telecommunications Company to the date of April 30, 2023
Yesterday, February 8, 2023, the thirteenth hearing was held in the Ramallah Magistrate Court in the case of the three activists Jihad Abdo, Ezz El-Din Zaoul, and Musa Al-Qaisiyah. This case was filed against them after a complaint filed by the Palestinian Telecommunications Company, the subject of which was defamation by using the electronic network or a means of information technology, and the threat through the use of the electronic network or a means of information technology. The company is demanding the three activists for compensation of 10 million Jordanian dinars, in exchange for the damages that the company claims they caused. Accordingly, the “Lawyers for Justice” group condemns such prosecutions due to the exercise of freedom of opinion and expression, which is protected by Article 19 of the Palestinian Basic Law, which states: “There is no prejudice to freedom of opinion, and every person has the right to express his opinion and publish it verbally, in writing, or otherwise, means of expression or art, taking into account the provisions of the law.” … 9, February 2023 Lawyers for Justice
Proceedings of the trial of the accused in killing the activist Nizar Banat
Yesterday, January 29, 2023, a trial session was held at the special military court in Ramallah for the 14 members of the preventive security, accused of killing the martyr Nizar Banat, the session was held in the presence of the entire ruling body, and in the presence of the fourteen accused who were previously released, their attorney, and a representative of the military prosecution. “Lawyers for Justice” group followed the session as an observer of the trial sessions of the accused in the case of the murder of activist Nizar Banat, and some colleagues and representatives of local and international human rights institutions. Within the framework of the litigation procedures; The defense attorney presented his defense evidence, represented by an expert, who is a forensic doctor, head of the forensic medicine department in a hospital in Jordan, doctor (A.A.); Who submitted his report to the court, then he was discussed about this report by the defense attorney, the representative of the military prosecution, and by the court; he summarized in his report, “The cause of death of the deceased is due to heart and respiratory failure.” He added, “The cause of death is the health condition that the deceased was suffering from.” He commented on the forensic report, “What they found of the death result is not correct” The doctor (A.A) confirmed that his basis in constructing his report relied on the forensic medical report, the medical file of Nizar before his martyrdom, in addition to some papers and files that he received from the court. In its role, the Military Prosecution objected to showing the medical report prepared by the expert, expressing that it is a structural and office report, and it did not rely on examination, and autopsy, and that the approved reports must be issued by the competent authorities, but the court added the report to the case file. The observer of the “Lawyers for Justice” group made some observations during the session, which was initially represented by the expert detouring by answering some questions of the court and the prosecution, and answering them in general terms, the defense attorney intervened by adding some words or phrases to the expert’s answers, the presence of some terms in the report of the expert, who confirmed verbally that they are either wrong or not found in the medical dictionary, such as the term traumatic shock, The session was adjourned for 10 minutes, then he returned and said after the adjournment of the session, “The term traumatic shock exists only in the head and not in the rest of the body, and it does not apply to Nizar’s case, but rather what applies to Nizar’s case in the head is bruises” the defense attorney interrupted the court and the prosecution. It is noteworthy that the session was adjourned to February 26, 2023, and was postponed to allow the defense attorney to decide whether he wishes to provide additional evidence or not. It is worth mentioning that today’s session started at 10:00 and ended at 1:45. … January 30, 2023 Lawyers for Justice