AAAS Scientific Responsibility, Human Rights and Law Program

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AAAS Human Rights Action Network

FACTS OF THE CASE:

Mr. Fathi Ahmed Subuh, a Palestinian assistant professor of education at Al-Azhar University, was released on bail on 26 November 1997. Mr. Subuh, who was arrested on 2 July 1997, was taken to the Shifa' Hospital on 30 October 1997 having lost consciousness due to a brain condition that he contracted while in detention. Mr. Subuh was reportedly unconscious for twenty hours. There are allegations that his condition is the result of torture he endured while under interrogation. Mr. Subuh was reportedly subjected to severe torture and ill-treatment during his detention at Tel al-Hawa Prison, which is run by the Palestinian Preventive Security Service (PSS) in Gaza. Reports indicate that while in detention, authorities hung Mr. Subuh from behind by his hands with his feet off the ground, beat him, and subjected him to sleep deprivation, and hooding.

On 26 November, Mr. Subuh's family requested his release from the National Security Court. He was released from the hospital on 5,000 dinar (approximately $7,000) bail. Although he was ordered to report to the police everyday, he has been given permission by the Palestinian authority to travel to Egypt for brain surgery.

Mr. Subuh's arrest reportedly stems from a final examination question that he prepared for his students asking them to write about corruption of the Palestinian authority and in Al-Azhar University. Palestinian police reportedly raided Mr. Subuh's home looking for his students' exams.

Mr. Subuh is director of the Touffah Educational Development Center, a non- governmental organization that provides teacher training, literacy programs, and vocational training for women. From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Subuh was a Fulbright scholar at the University of Maryland.

The Palestinian authority's detention and torture of Mr. Subuh, as well as their infringement on his academic freedom, constitute serious violations of international human rights standards, including those enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). These rights include freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (Article 5); liberty and security of the person (Article 3); freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention (Articles 3 and 9); and freedom of expression (Article 19).

(Sources of information on this case include a personal friend of Mr. Subuh, the Middle East Studies Association of North America, the Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizen's Rights; and Amnesty International.)

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please send telexes, faxes, and letters:

• welcoming the release of Mr. Subuh;
• urging that his release be unconditional; and
• expressing concern about the allegations of torture and ill-treatment of Mr. Subuh during his detention in Tel al-Hawa Prison and calling for an investigation into these allegations.

APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES SHOULD BE SENT TO:

President Yasser Arafat
Palestinian Authority
Al-Muntada
Gaza, Palestinian Authority
Fax: 011 972 7 822365 (ask to send a fax)
Telegram: President Arafat, Palestinian Authority, Gaza
Salutation: Dear President Arafat

Mr. Freih Abu Meddein
Minister of Justice
Ministry of Justice
Abu Khadra Building
Omar al-Mukhtar Street
Gaza, Palestinian Authority
Fax: 011 972 7 833326
Telegram: Justice Minister, Palestinian Authority
Salutation: Dear Minister Abu Meddein

Fayez Abu-Rahma
Attorney General
Palestinian Authority
Attorney-General's Building
Yarmouk, Gaza, Palestinian Authority
Fax: 011 972 7 824 503
Salutation: Dear Mr. Abu-Rahma

Colonel Muhammad Dahlan
Head of Preventive Security Service in the Gaza St
Gaza
Palestinian Authority
Fax: 011 972 7 825 425
Salutation: Dear Colonel Dahlan

COPIES SENT TO:

Mr. Kamal Sharafi
Rapporteur
Human Rights Committee of the Legislative Council
Fax: 011 972 2 9987719 (ask to send a fax)
he Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizen's Rights
Fax: 011 972 2 998 6958

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