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.

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February 12, 2023

Lawyers for Justice