20 mar 2015
Two Palestinian children were injured, one seriously, in clashes with Palestinian security forces near Balata refugee camp, in eastern Nablus, Friday.
Locals told Ma'an News Agency that Mohammad Rakiz Abu Assab, age 10, was shot in the stomach and taken to Rafidia hospital in a serious condition, while Mohammad Raed al-Hajj, 11, was shot in the foot and taken to al-Ittihad hospital.
Security sources said that clashes broke out between security forces and dozens of youths on al-Quds street near the refugee camp after the young Palestinians closed the road and began throwing rocks on the street.
Palestinian Legislative Council member Jamal al-Tirawi told Ma'an that responsibility lay with President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah to prevent the situation in Balata from deteriorating further.
Balata has been the site of growing tension since Palestinian security forces began a security campaign in February with the stated aim of capturing 18 wanted criminals inside the refugee camp.
Seven of the fugitives turned themselves in to the police in mid-February, following a meeting between Prime Minister Hamdallah and representatives of political parties in Balata refugee camp, and several others have been detained.
Earlier this month, gunmen and youths from the camp blocked al-Quds street, demanding that the PA release the wanted men that had turned themselves in.
On March 8 two Palestinian men sustained gunshot injuries during an exchange of fire between fugitives and Palestinian security officers.
The most populated refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, Balata houses an estimated 23,000 on less than a square kilometer of land.
The densely populated camp has historically shown high levels of unemployment, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of basic services such as access to clean water and effective sewage systems, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
The cramped environment of the camp makes it difficult for security forces to enter covertly, and entrance of Palestinian security or Israeli forces into the camp often results in violent clashes.
Balata refugee camp was established by the United Nations in 1950, to provide housing and services to refugees resulting from the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, causing more than 700,000 Palestinians to flee their homes.
The Palestinian Authority remains in close coordination with Israeli security, despite President Abbas' threats to end the affiliation, amid a state of escalating tensions in the region.
See also: 03/05/15 Abbas: Negotiations with Israel "Still On The Table"
Locals told Ma'an News Agency that Mohammad Rakiz Abu Assab, age 10, was shot in the stomach and taken to Rafidia hospital in a serious condition, while Mohammad Raed al-Hajj, 11, was shot in the foot and taken to al-Ittihad hospital.
Security sources said that clashes broke out between security forces and dozens of youths on al-Quds street near the refugee camp after the young Palestinians closed the road and began throwing rocks on the street.
Palestinian Legislative Council member Jamal al-Tirawi told Ma'an that responsibility lay with President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah to prevent the situation in Balata from deteriorating further.
Balata has been the site of growing tension since Palestinian security forces began a security campaign in February with the stated aim of capturing 18 wanted criminals inside the refugee camp.
Seven of the fugitives turned themselves in to the police in mid-February, following a meeting between Prime Minister Hamdallah and representatives of political parties in Balata refugee camp, and several others have been detained.
Earlier this month, gunmen and youths from the camp blocked al-Quds street, demanding that the PA release the wanted men that had turned themselves in.
On March 8 two Palestinian men sustained gunshot injuries during an exchange of fire between fugitives and Palestinian security officers.
The most populated refugee camp in the occupied West Bank, Balata houses an estimated 23,000 on less than a square kilometer of land.
The densely populated camp has historically shown high levels of unemployment, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of basic services such as access to clean water and effective sewage systems, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency.
The cramped environment of the camp makes it difficult for security forces to enter covertly, and entrance of Palestinian security or Israeli forces into the camp often results in violent clashes.
Balata refugee camp was established by the United Nations in 1950, to provide housing and services to refugees resulting from the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, causing more than 700,000 Palestinians to flee their homes.
The Palestinian Authority remains in close coordination with Israeli security, despite President Abbas' threats to end the affiliation, amid a state of escalating tensions in the region.
See also: 03/05/15 Abbas: Negotiations with Israel "Still On The Table"
19 mar 2015
Hamas Movement has raised alarm bells over the deterioration of the health status of prisoner Asid Amarna, held at the Palestinian Authority (PA) lock ups, calling for immediately releasing the detainee before it is too late.
Hamas has spoken out against the passive role played by the human rights institutions and press organizations operating in the Palestinian territories vis-à-vis the arrest of Amarna, a journalist working for al-Aqsa TV Channel.
Hamas statement has come at a time when the Britain-based Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR) issued a similar press release warning that Amarna, detained by the PA Preventive forces for over a month, suffers sharp health deterioration.
The Palestinian captive has been held in custody without specific charges or legal justification and in very dire detention circumstances, the AOHR statement further read.
Another journalist, identified as Hisham Abu Shagra, along with five ex-prisoners, are still held at the PA detention centers, the Hamas statement further pointed out, calling on Bethlehem activists to urge the PA apparatuses to stop their violations of Palestinians’ human rights and cease arbitrary political arrests.
The PA forces, meanwhile, apprehended the 26-year-old journalist Radhi Karama, from al-Khalil city, after having stormed his family home and heavily beating him up on Wednesday morning.
Earlier, a few weeks ago, the PA apparatuses rounded up Radhi’s brother, Jamal, and released him sometime later.
Hamas has spoken out against the passive role played by the human rights institutions and press organizations operating in the Palestinian territories vis-à-vis the arrest of Amarna, a journalist working for al-Aqsa TV Channel.
Hamas statement has come at a time when the Britain-based Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR) issued a similar press release warning that Amarna, detained by the PA Preventive forces for over a month, suffers sharp health deterioration.
The Palestinian captive has been held in custody without specific charges or legal justification and in very dire detention circumstances, the AOHR statement further read.
Another journalist, identified as Hisham Abu Shagra, along with five ex-prisoners, are still held at the PA detention centers, the Hamas statement further pointed out, calling on Bethlehem activists to urge the PA apparatuses to stop their violations of Palestinians’ human rights and cease arbitrary political arrests.
The PA forces, meanwhile, apprehended the 26-year-old journalist Radhi Karama, from al-Khalil city, after having stormed his family home and heavily beating him up on Wednesday morning.
Earlier, a few weeks ago, the PA apparatuses rounded up Radhi’s brother, Jamal, and released him sometime later.
17 mar 2015
PA Security Forces stormed at dawn Thursday Jenin refugee camp to the north of the West Bank where they deployed in large numbers throughout its neighborhoods.
Large numbers of PA forces broke into the camp and closed its main roads, restricting the residents’ movement, local sources told PIC reporter.
A state of tension prevailed among local residents especially after the events in Balata refugee camp to the east of Nablus.
Meanwhile, the PA intelligence and preventive security apparatuses have reportedly arrested three citizens in Tulkarem.
A committee for relatives of political detainees in the West Bank also reported that 26-year-old detainee Kamal Yassin, from Qalqilia, was transferred to hospital after deterioration of his health condition. It pointed out that Yassin, who suffers from hypertension and diabetes, was kidnapped a few days ago at the hands of the preventive security apparatus.
Large numbers of PA forces broke into the camp and closed its main roads, restricting the residents’ movement, local sources told PIC reporter.
A state of tension prevailed among local residents especially after the events in Balata refugee camp to the east of Nablus.
Meanwhile, the PA intelligence and preventive security apparatuses have reportedly arrested three citizens in Tulkarem.
A committee for relatives of political detainees in the West Bank also reported that 26-year-old detainee Kamal Yassin, from Qalqilia, was transferred to hospital after deterioration of his health condition. It pointed out that Yassin, who suffers from hypertension and diabetes, was kidnapped a few days ago at the hands of the preventive security apparatus.
13 mar 2015
Palestinian lawmaker Mona Mansour has urged the Palestinian Authority (PA) to halt all forms of negotiation and security cooperation with the Israeli occupation immediately.
"What is required of the Palestinian Authority (PA) at this stage is to cease all forms of negotiations with the Israeli occupation without delay," MP Mansour stated Thursday.
She called for renouncing the peace process and adopting the Palestinian people's national options to pressure the occupation.
According to the lawmaker, who is a member of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc, the Palestinian people's national options are mainly about adopting all forms of resistance against the occupation and ending the security cooperation with it.
She said the US and European pledges made to the PA are “mere tentative solutions" acting like "anesthetic injections" aimed at disrupting the practical options available to the PA.
Mansour condemned Israel's use of its violations against the Palestinians and the Islamic holy sites in the West Bank and Jerusalem for electoral advantage.
She said that the settlement expansion activities in the occupied territories come as part of the Israeli plans to impose a new fait accompli on the ground.
"What is required of the Palestinian Authority (PA) at this stage is to cease all forms of negotiations with the Israeli occupation without delay," MP Mansour stated Thursday.
She called for renouncing the peace process and adopting the Palestinian people's national options to pressure the occupation.
According to the lawmaker, who is a member of the Change and Reform parliamentary bloc, the Palestinian people's national options are mainly about adopting all forms of resistance against the occupation and ending the security cooperation with it.
She said the US and European pledges made to the PA are “mere tentative solutions" acting like "anesthetic injections" aimed at disrupting the practical options available to the PA.
Mansour condemned Israel's use of its violations against the Palestinians and the Islamic holy sites in the West Bank and Jerusalem for electoral advantage.
She said that the settlement expansion activities in the occupied territories come as part of the Israeli plans to impose a new fait accompli on the ground.
10 mar 2015
The Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR) called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) to immediately stop its “politically-motivated” arrest policy and to release all political detainees held in its jails.
The London-based organization stressed, in its statement issued Monday, the need to implement the PLO central council’s recent decisions, holding PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas fully responsible over the political detainees’ life and safety.
The statements made by PA security spokesman to justify the recent political arrests are not true and cannot be a good reason to make a citizen’s arrest, the press release said.
The AOHR stated that these brutal arrests flagrantly violate the Palestinian Basic Law that clearly prevents any citizen’s arrest for his political positions.
“Political arrest policy constitutes an obstacle in the way of the national reconciliation and deepens the existing gap between the concerned parties.”
Earlier Sunday, a large-scale political arrest campaign has been waged at a late night hour by PA security forces against Hamas's supporters and members in West Bank cities and towns.
40 pro-Hamas citizens were detained during the campaign after violently storming their homes across the West Bank.
Elderly persons, university students, academics, and social activists were among the detainees.
The AOHR pointed out that the arrest campaign came few days after the PLO Central Council's decision to halt security coordination with Israel.
The PA, which has its headquarters in Ramallah, has regularly detained Hamas supporters and members, including MPs, over the past few years.
The London-based organization stressed, in its statement issued Monday, the need to implement the PLO central council’s recent decisions, holding PA chairman Mahmoud Abbas fully responsible over the political detainees’ life and safety.
The statements made by PA security spokesman to justify the recent political arrests are not true and cannot be a good reason to make a citizen’s arrest, the press release said.
The AOHR stated that these brutal arrests flagrantly violate the Palestinian Basic Law that clearly prevents any citizen’s arrest for his political positions.
“Political arrest policy constitutes an obstacle in the way of the national reconciliation and deepens the existing gap between the concerned parties.”
Earlier Sunday, a large-scale political arrest campaign has been waged at a late night hour by PA security forces against Hamas's supporters and members in West Bank cities and towns.
40 pro-Hamas citizens were detained during the campaign after violently storming their homes across the West Bank.
Elderly persons, university students, academics, and social activists were among the detainees.
The AOHR pointed out that the arrest campaign came few days after the PLO Central Council's decision to halt security coordination with Israel.
The PA, which has its headquarters in Ramallah, has regularly detained Hamas supporters and members, including MPs, over the past few years.
9 mar 2015
Hebrew media sources disclosed that Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas had ordered the large-scale arrest campaign carried out by the PA security forces in the West Bank in order to maintain calm prior to Israeli elections.
Maariv Hebrew newspaper quoted an Israeli security source as saying the PA conducted the West Bank arrest campaign at the behest of Israel to prevent any possible escalation prior to the coming Israeli elections.
Despite the fact that Israel did not transfer the PA tax revenues; the PA insistence to suppress the Palestinian resistance has not stopped, the source added.
The newspaper noted that the PA believes that the Israeli elections would bring a political change that would lead to releasing of PA tax money which has been frozen for three months.
The Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted a Palestinian security official as saying that “the PA seeks calm for a political change that would lead to resume negotiations and improve prospects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.
For his part, member of Hamas political bureau Izzat al-Resheq slammed the PA for arresting Hamas cadres and supporters, and described the campaigns of arrests as a free service to the occupation.
Resheq said, in press statements in Doha, the security campaign against Palestinian resistance and ex-detainees in the West Bank implies that the calls for ending the security coordination with Israel were nothing but meaningless slogans.
“It is an attempt to absorb the anger of the Palestinian people at the PA and its security forces. The PA is acting like a security guard for the Israeli occupation”, Resheq said.
The PA security forces carried out on Sunday a large-scale arrest campaign against dozens of Hamas members and leaders all over the West Bank.
Related: Ynet - More than 100 Hamas members arrested by PA
Maariv Hebrew newspaper quoted an Israeli security source as saying the PA conducted the West Bank arrest campaign at the behest of Israel to prevent any possible escalation prior to the coming Israeli elections.
Despite the fact that Israel did not transfer the PA tax revenues; the PA insistence to suppress the Palestinian resistance has not stopped, the source added.
The newspaper noted that the PA believes that the Israeli elections would bring a political change that would lead to releasing of PA tax money which has been frozen for three months.
The Israeli newspaper Maariv quoted a Palestinian security official as saying that “the PA seeks calm for a political change that would lead to resume negotiations and improve prospects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”.
For his part, member of Hamas political bureau Izzat al-Resheq slammed the PA for arresting Hamas cadres and supporters, and described the campaigns of arrests as a free service to the occupation.
Resheq said, in press statements in Doha, the security campaign against Palestinian resistance and ex-detainees in the West Bank implies that the calls for ending the security coordination with Israel were nothing but meaningless slogans.
“It is an attempt to absorb the anger of the Palestinian people at the PA and its security forces. The PA is acting like a security guard for the Israeli occupation”, Resheq said.
The PA security forces carried out on Sunday a large-scale arrest campaign against dozens of Hamas members and leaders all over the West Bank.
Related: Ynet - More than 100 Hamas members arrested by PA
The PA Preventive Security and Intelligence services arrested late Sunday dozens of citizens throughout West Bank for being affiliated with Hamas Movement.
A large-scale political arrest campaign has been waged overnight against Hamas’s supporters and members in West Bank cities and towns, the PIC reporter said.
30 pro-Hamas citizens were detained during the campaign after violently storming their homes at a late night hour.
Elderly persons, university students, academics, and social activists were among the detainees.
In another context, Israel Hayom newspaper claimed that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will not accept to stop security coordination with the occupation following re recommendation made by the PLO central council.
The newspaper Sunday quoted a Palestinian official in Ramallah as stating that Abbas will not accept a recommendation made last week by the PLO Central Council that security coordination between the PA and Israel be halted.
The official in PA President Mahmoud Abbas's office told Israel Hayom that security coordination with Israel is an "important national strategic interest" for the Palestinians. He claimed that halting security coordination with Israel would hurt the Palestinians more than it would hurt Israel.
The PLO Central Council said it made the recommendation because Israel had breached bilateral agreements, including the withholding of tax revenues Israel collects on behalf of the PA.
The Central Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization decided last week to stop all forms of security coordination with the Israeli occupation. The move comes in response to Israel’s withholding of tax funds belonging to the Palestinian Authority.
A large-scale political arrest campaign has been waged overnight against Hamas’s supporters and members in West Bank cities and towns, the PIC reporter said.
30 pro-Hamas citizens were detained during the campaign after violently storming their homes at a late night hour.
Elderly persons, university students, academics, and social activists were among the detainees.
In another context, Israel Hayom newspaper claimed that Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will not accept to stop security coordination with the occupation following re recommendation made by the PLO central council.
The newspaper Sunday quoted a Palestinian official in Ramallah as stating that Abbas will not accept a recommendation made last week by the PLO Central Council that security coordination between the PA and Israel be halted.
The official in PA President Mahmoud Abbas's office told Israel Hayom that security coordination with Israel is an "important national strategic interest" for the Palestinians. He claimed that halting security coordination with Israel would hurt the Palestinians more than it would hurt Israel.
The PLO Central Council said it made the recommendation because Israel had breached bilateral agreements, including the withholding of tax revenues Israel collects on behalf of the PA.
The Central Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization decided last week to stop all forms of security coordination with the Israeli occupation. The move comes in response to Israel’s withholding of tax funds belonging to the Palestinian Authority.
8 mar 2015
Three Palestinians have been shot and injured after the Palestinian security officers tried to enter the Balata refugee camp, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, to arrest what they called “a Palestinian wanted for security violations.”
Local sources said the several security vehicles tried to enter the camp, late at night Saturday, and exchanged fire with gunmen while attempting to arrest one of them.
They added that two young men have been shot, and mildly injured, during the clashes, and that the targeted gunman also suffered a minor injury, but managed to escape.
In addition, a number of Palestinians burnt tires on the entrances of the camp, in an attempt to prevent the officers from advancing, before the security forces decided not to enter the camp, and sealed its entrance.
Last month, the security forces carried out repeated similar attempts, trying to arrest gunmen and fighters, before an agreement was reached to reduce tension and stop the arrests, but several incidents took place after the agreement was reached.
Fateh legislator Jamal Tirawi said the security forces (dominated by Fateh Movement) in the Jericho Central Prison, have repeatedly violated the rights of Fateh fighters who were taken prisoner in Balata refugee camp.
He said the attacks come in violation of an agreement reached a few weeks ago, under which the fighters agreed to surrender their weapons, and hand themselves in to the security forces.
On Saturday at night, Tirawi said on his Facebook page that the fighters, held in Jericho, are facing injustice and violations, and accused Nablus Governor Akram Rajoub of having a “personal vendetta” against them.
Tirawi denounced the security forces and the Palestinian Authority for what he called “violating the agreement that was reached in direct participation of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah."
“Pushed by their respect to President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamdallah, those fighters, members of Fateh, agreed to hand themselves in to the security forces,” Tirawi stated, “The agreement was based on the core principles of justice, and the basic Palestinian Law.”
Local sources said the several security vehicles tried to enter the camp, late at night Saturday, and exchanged fire with gunmen while attempting to arrest one of them.
They added that two young men have been shot, and mildly injured, during the clashes, and that the targeted gunman also suffered a minor injury, but managed to escape.
In addition, a number of Palestinians burnt tires on the entrances of the camp, in an attempt to prevent the officers from advancing, before the security forces decided not to enter the camp, and sealed its entrance.
Last month, the security forces carried out repeated similar attempts, trying to arrest gunmen and fighters, before an agreement was reached to reduce tension and stop the arrests, but several incidents took place after the agreement was reached.
Fateh legislator Jamal Tirawi said the security forces (dominated by Fateh Movement) in the Jericho Central Prison, have repeatedly violated the rights of Fateh fighters who were taken prisoner in Balata refugee camp.
He said the attacks come in violation of an agreement reached a few weeks ago, under which the fighters agreed to surrender their weapons, and hand themselves in to the security forces.
On Saturday at night, Tirawi said on his Facebook page that the fighters, held in Jericho, are facing injustice and violations, and accused Nablus Governor Akram Rajoub of having a “personal vendetta” against them.
Tirawi denounced the security forces and the Palestinian Authority for what he called “violating the agreement that was reached in direct participation of Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah."
“Pushed by their respect to President Mahmoud Abbas and Hamdallah, those fighters, members of Fateh, agreed to hand themselves in to the security forces,” Tirawi stated, “The agreement was based on the core principles of justice, and the basic Palestinian Law.”
6 mar 2015
The Central Council of the Palestine Liberation Organization voted on Thursday to end security cooperation with Israel due to the Israeli government's continued non-compliance with past signed agreements.
However, the President of the Palestinian Authority (which represents the PLO in the Occupied Territories) is unlikely to act on the decision made by the PLO's governing body, as the infrastructure and bureaucracy of the Palestinian Authority must depend on the Israeli Occupation army for its existence.
The decision came after two days of deliberations by the Council, following the speech given by the Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at the US Congress on Tuesday.
In a statement, the PLO's Central Council said that the suspension of security cooperation was due to "Israel’s systematic and ongoing noncompliance with its obligations under signed agreements, including its daily military raids throughout the State of Palestine."
The PLO also decided to boycott Israeli goods, stating, "Israel must pay the price for its refusal to assume its responsibilities under international law."
In addition, the PLO stated that "The Palestinian National Authority was the outcome of the national struggle of the Palestinian people to move from occupation to independence. Its institutions should be maintained and must not be dissolved."
However, the President of the Palestinian Authority (which represents the PLO in the Occupied Territories) is unlikely to act on the decision made by the PLO's governing body, as the infrastructure and bureaucracy of the Palestinian Authority must depend on the Israeli Occupation army for its existence.
The decision came after two days of deliberations by the Council, following the speech given by the Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at the US Congress on Tuesday.
In a statement, the PLO's Central Council said that the suspension of security cooperation was due to "Israel’s systematic and ongoing noncompliance with its obligations under signed agreements, including its daily military raids throughout the State of Palestine."
The PLO also decided to boycott Israeli goods, stating, "Israel must pay the price for its refusal to assume its responsibilities under international law."
In addition, the PLO stated that "The Palestinian National Authority was the outcome of the national struggle of the Palestinian people to move from occupation to independence. Its institutions should be maintained and must not be dissolved."
The family committee of political detainees said it had documented last February 134 incidents in which the Palestinian Authority (PA) security apparatuses committed violations against citizens.
The committee said in a statement issued Thursday that 109 Palestinians were arrested by the PA security forces in February, 45 of them were captured by the preventive forces and 57 others were detained by the general intelligence agency.
16 Palestinian citizens, including two ladies, three students, and one journalist were summoned for interrogation on political grounds, the committee added.
The committee also said last month had seen an increase in the detention of Palestinians after summoning them for interrogation, affirming that at least 20 citizens were detained inside security headquarters after they responded to summonses.
12 citizens were kidnapped from their own homes, 13 from their workplaces, and 11 others during their participation in the reception of a political detainee upon his release from a PA jail.
The committee also reported eight incidents of arbitrary home break-ins, during which the PA security forces had seized laptops, documents and personal belongings.
It also noted that during the reporting month, the PA security confiscated an amount of money from the mother of martyr Ahmed Awdeh after interrogating her as well as a car belonging to Hamas official Iyad Naser.
The committee said in a statement issued Thursday that 109 Palestinians were arrested by the PA security forces in February, 45 of them were captured by the preventive forces and 57 others were detained by the general intelligence agency.
16 Palestinian citizens, including two ladies, three students, and one journalist were summoned for interrogation on political grounds, the committee added.
The committee also said last month had seen an increase in the detention of Palestinians after summoning them for interrogation, affirming that at least 20 citizens were detained inside security headquarters after they responded to summonses.
12 citizens were kidnapped from their own homes, 13 from their workplaces, and 11 others during their participation in the reception of a political detainee upon his release from a PA jail.
The committee also reported eight incidents of arbitrary home break-ins, during which the PA security forces had seized laptops, documents and personal belongings.
It also noted that during the reporting month, the PA security confiscated an amount of money from the mother of martyr Ahmed Awdeh after interrogating her as well as a car belonging to Hamas official Iyad Naser.
2 mar 2015
The International Federation for Human Rights and Development on Monday urged the Palestinian Authority (PA) security apparatuses to release the 29-year-old Palestinian political prisoners Islam Hasan Hamed and Asid Amarna.
The International Federation said in a statement the ongoing detention of prisoner Hamed is a flagrant violation of the Palestinian and international humanitarian laws.
Prisoner Hamed was arrested by the PA forces from his own home, without prior notice, on September 4, 2010 on charges of inciting against the PA.
The federation quoted Hamed’s wife as reporting that her husband was subjected to psycho-physical torture at the PA lock-ups.
She said Hamed, along with 20 Palestinian inmates, have been incarcerated in a small, underground cell at the Ramallah-headquartered intelligence lock-up under very dire circumstances.
Captive Hamed was diagnosed with hypertension and the jaundice syndrome due to the PA’s medical negligence.
The PA apparatuses reneged on promises to release Hamed despite the family’s frequent appeals.
The PA further turned blind eyes to a couple of court issues acquitting Hamed and ruling for his release.
The federation said Hamed’s detention stands in sharp contrast to Palestinian laws, for it has neither been based on a bench warrant nor on proven charges.
The human rights group further urged the PA preventive security forces to release journalist Asid Amarna and to stop chasing down journalists.
On February 23, the PA preventive security summoned journalist Amarna for interrogation and arrested him upon his arrival at its headquarters on charges of spreading sectarian strife.
Prisoner Amarna has been subjected to much pressure by the PA forces in an attempt to get his Facebook password, the federation said, pointing out the appalling conditions Amarna has been made to endure at the Bethlehem detention center.
The group quoted prisoner Amarna as saying, during a Wednesday court hearing, that he has been locked-up in a toilet.
For his part, journalist Amarna started an open-ended hunger strike in protest at the extension of his detention for 15 days pending interrogation.
The federation called on the PA security apparatuses in the West Bank to respect the freedoms of the press and of expression and to stop persecution of Palestinian journalists.
The International Federation said in a statement the ongoing detention of prisoner Hamed is a flagrant violation of the Palestinian and international humanitarian laws.
Prisoner Hamed was arrested by the PA forces from his own home, without prior notice, on September 4, 2010 on charges of inciting against the PA.
The federation quoted Hamed’s wife as reporting that her husband was subjected to psycho-physical torture at the PA lock-ups.
She said Hamed, along with 20 Palestinian inmates, have been incarcerated in a small, underground cell at the Ramallah-headquartered intelligence lock-up under very dire circumstances.
Captive Hamed was diagnosed with hypertension and the jaundice syndrome due to the PA’s medical negligence.
The PA apparatuses reneged on promises to release Hamed despite the family’s frequent appeals.
The PA further turned blind eyes to a couple of court issues acquitting Hamed and ruling for his release.
The federation said Hamed’s detention stands in sharp contrast to Palestinian laws, for it has neither been based on a bench warrant nor on proven charges.
The human rights group further urged the PA preventive security forces to release journalist Asid Amarna and to stop chasing down journalists.
On February 23, the PA preventive security summoned journalist Amarna for interrogation and arrested him upon his arrival at its headquarters on charges of spreading sectarian strife.
Prisoner Amarna has been subjected to much pressure by the PA forces in an attempt to get his Facebook password, the federation said, pointing out the appalling conditions Amarna has been made to endure at the Bethlehem detention center.
The group quoted prisoner Amarna as saying, during a Wednesday court hearing, that he has been locked-up in a toilet.
For his part, journalist Amarna started an open-ended hunger strike in protest at the extension of his detention for 15 days pending interrogation.
The federation called on the PA security apparatuses in the West Bank to respect the freedoms of the press and of expression and to stop persecution of Palestinian journalists.