AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

Agricultural engineer Amin al-Aghbar was arrested on 16 March 1999 as he was crossing the Allenby Bridge into Jordan. Mr. al-Aghbar is 27 years old and suffers from a congenital heart defect. He suffered a stroke just two months before his arrest and remains in ill health. Immediately after his arrest he was taken to Hillel Yaffe Hospital, where he was held for six days.

Mr. al-Aghbar, who is accused of having links with Hamas, was held in Kishon Prison from 16 to 30 March. He was later moved to a military prison in Megiddo and held with Palestinians collaborators who interrogate Palestinian prisoners for the General Security Service (GSS). Mr. al-Aghbar's lawyer was not permitted to meet with him or to be present during his hearing. Although a judge extended an order denying Mr. al-Aghbar access to his lawyer, he did place him under close medical supervision. During a hearing on April 20th, the order denying Mr. al-Aghbar the right to meet with his lawyer was extended at the request of the GSS. The judge also extended Mr. al-Aghbar detention another nine days and ordered the prison doctor to check on every day and to consult with a specialist. After the hearing Mr. al-Aghbar was moved to Tikva Prison, where he remains.

Medical specialists working for the organization Doctors for Human Rights have examined Mr. al-Aghbar's medical records. They fear that if he does not receive anticoagulants his health may be in serious jeopardy.

Although Mr. al-Aghbar was not beaten or physically ill treated, he was interrogated for 14 hours per day, even during his hospitalization. He has now been allowed to meet with his lawyer. A judge has extended his detention until 15 May.

The prevention of Mr. al-Aghbar from access to his lawyer is contrary to legal standards established by the UN Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, which require authorities to allow prompt, regular, and confidential access to legal counsel.

(Sources of information for this case are Mr. al-Aghbar's attorney and Amnesty International.)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send telexes, telegrams, faxes, or airmail letters:

• Asking that Amin al-Aghbar be given immediate access to his family and an independent doctor;
• urging that he receive adequate medical attention;
• and calling for any interrogation methods that constitute torture or ill treatment to cease immediately.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

Mr. Binyamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
3 Kaplan Street
Jerusalem 91919
Israel
Fax: 972 2 566 4838


Mr. Tzahi Hanegbi
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
29 Salah al-Din Street
Jerusalem 91029
Israel
Fax: 972 2 6285 438


Mr. Avigdor Kahalani
Minister of Internal Security
Ministry of Internal Security
PO Box 18182, 3 Sheikh Jarrah
Kiryat Hamemshala
Jerusalem 91181
Israel
Fax: 972 2 582 6769

COPIES SENT TO:

Dr. Yoram Blachar
President
Israel Medical Association
2 Twin Towers
35 Jabotinksy Street
P.O. Box 3565
Ramat Gan
Tel Aviv
Israel
Fax: 972 3 575 3303

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