AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

On 5 August 1999, Dr. Iyad al-Sarraj, Director of the Gaza Community Mental Health Program, was released from civilian police headquarters in Gaza after enduring two hours of questioning. Significant international and domestic pressure may have convinced authorities to release Dr. al-Sarraj. His release, however, is not unconditional. He appears to be out on bail and his right to travel has been restricted while the investigation against him continues.

Dr. al-Sarraj's arrest is based on an article that he wrote entitled "The Battle Goes On," which appeared in the People's Rights Magazine, published by the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment. The article criticized the Palestinian National Authority's (PNA) attacks against human rights organizations, corruption in the PNA, and a delay in the approval of a new NGO Law.

This is the fourth time that Dr. al-Sarraj has been arrested by the Palestinian Authority. He was previously arrested on 7 December 1995, 18 May 1996, and 9 June 1996. The arrests were in connection with statements he made that were critical of the Palestinian self-rule government and its security forces.

Dr. al-Sarraj was beaten in custody during a previous incarceration and was accused of drug possession, a charge widely believed to be fabricated. Dr. al-Sarraj was also charged with striking a Palestinian police officer, reportedly the same police officer who had beaten him during his detention.

The arrest, continued harassment, and the conditions of the release of Dr. al-Sarraj are based solely on the expression of his opinion and violate international human rights provisions enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (approved without objection by the United Nations General Assembly on 10 December 1948). They include:

• No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention, or exile (Article 9);
• everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him (Article 10); and
• everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression (Article 19).

(Source of information for this update is the Palestinian Society for the Protection Human Rights of and the Environment. Sources of information for previous alerts include Human Rights Watch/Middle East, the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme, and The New York Times.)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

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

• Expressing concern about the pattern of arrest and detention of activists who criticize the Palestinian Authority;
• praising the release of Dr. al-Sarraj from detention; and
• urging the Palestinian Authority to cease the investigation against Dr. al-Sarraj and to lift any conditions on his freedom.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

President Yasser Arafat
Fax: 927 7 282 4670/1

COPIES SENT TO:

The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment (LAW)
PO Box 20873
Jerusalem, via Israel
Tel: (972) (2) 5833430/5833530/5833537
Fax: (972) (2) 5833317

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