Ihsan Dababseh released after 22-month sentence, highlights struggle of women prisoners

11 July 2016

Palestinian prisoner Ihsan Dababseh, 30, from Nuba, al-Khalil, was freed from Israeli prison after a 22-month sentence on Sunday, 10 July.

Dababseh said upon her release that the women prisoners face constant violations of their rights, in particular highlighting a concern raised by fellow women prisoners – the transport by “Bosta,” a metal vehicle in which prisoners are shackled, trips are lengthy and arduous, there is little ventilation, and extreme temperature variations.

She also highlighted the issue of financial penalties being imposed on Palestinian prisoners, saying that her sentence was extended by two months and she was fined 2000 NIS (approximately $500) after being accused of assaulting a prison warden. Dababseh noted that she participated in a 10-day hunger strike in protest of her transfer to Damon prison, until she was returned to HaSharon. She noted that she had been isolated for a week, with 4 other Palestinian women, and denied family visits, because they raised the Palestinian flag inside the prisons on the anniversary of the Nakba.

Palestinian women held in Damon have to endure even greater use of the Bosta than those held in HaSharon – they are first transferred to HaSharon before any trips to court, hospital, or elsewhere.

Dababseh was imprisoned since 13 October 2014 on charges of membership in a prohibited organiation, in her case the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement. She had previously spent two years in Israeli prison before being released in September 2009.

Reham Alhelsi reported, “Israeli occupation soldiers raided her house several times, sent her 4 summons and threatened to blow up her house of she didn’t come to interrogation center. She went with her mother to detention center and was detained and her personal computer was confiscated, while her mother told to leave. ”

During her prior arrest from 2007 to 2009, the Israeli occupation soldiers who had arrested and blindfolded her made this video of themselves dancing around her as she was blindfolded and against the wall:

There are currently 63 Palestinian women held in HaSharon and Damon prisons. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society stated on Sunday that the Palestinian women prisoners noted that there is a severe shortage of bed linens in the summer as well as an insect infestation isnide the prison. Families are prohibited from bringing sheets for the prisoners, and they are given only the option of purchasing them from the “canteen” (Israeli-operated prison store) at exorbitant prices.

Palestinian child prisoners: Manasrah to face sentencing hearing; 12-year-old prisoner in court

10 July 2016

An Israeli court in Jerusalem held a hearing in the case of Shadi Farrah, 12, and his friend, Ahmad Zaatari, 13, on Sunday, 10 July.

Shadi and Ahmad were seized from their village of Kafr Aqab by Israeli occupation forces on 29 December 2015. They were accused of possessing a knife, allegedly found while they were being searched, and later of intent to murder, due to their possession of the knife.

More than seven sessions of the court have been convened for Shadi and Ahmad, which have been continued to the future for the completion of judicial proceedings. Both are held in juvenile institutions because of their young age. Their parents have expressed their deep concern for the psychological, education and physical impacts on their young children, who have already been mistreated by occupation forces. Both were interrogated without their parents or lawyers, in violation of international law and even Israeli law.

Held in Israeli juvenile centers, at times distant from their families, making visitation difficult and costly, are other Palestinian youth prisoners from Jerusalem: Mohammed Houshia, born 4 April 2005; Ali Alqam, born 2 December 2003; Shadi Farrah, born 5 November 2003; Ahmad Zaatari, born 8 April 2003; Mohammed Abdel Razek, born 4 January 2002; Ahmad Abu Khalifa, born 2 July 2001; Ahmad Manasrah; Adam Sub Laban; and Burhan Abu Shak.

Ahmad Manasrah, 14, will likely have a sentencing hearing on Monday, 11 July, although it may be delayed, reported his lawyer, Tariq Barghouth. Manasrah’s case, where he was convicted of participating in stabbing of Israeli settlers, has drawn international attention due to the videotape of him being abused and degraded by Israeli soldiers and settlers while bleeding on the ground after being hit by a car; his cousin, Hassan Manasrah, 15, was killed. Manasrah is threatened with a life sentence in Israeli prisons at the age of 14.

There are over 330 Palestinian children imprisoned by Israel, including 18 injured and sick children.

Seven Palestinian teens are currently held without charge or trial under administrative detention, reported Defence for Children International.

Sick prisoners in Ramle clinic refuse ICRC representative visits in protest of family visit cuts

10 July 2016

Sick prisoners in the Ramle prison clinic rejected International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representatives who came to visit them, in protest against the ICRC’s decision to reduce family visits for Palestinian prisoners from twice monthly to once monthly.

Fadi Obeidat, Palestinian lawyer, said that the sick prisoners were committed to continue to refuse ICRC visits until this decision is reversed or there is at least a real explanation provided by ICRC and not just “illogical excuses.”

The ICRC facilitates the family visit program for Palestinian prisoners held, in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, inside prisons in Israel. Prisoners’ family members must obtain special permits from the Israeli occupation, which are often denied; when not denied, they take months to obtain. Family members must travel with an ICRC group on a bus to the prison where their family member is held where they remain for the day until all family members have had their 45-minute visit. These visits were allowed twice monthly; as of July 2016, the ICRC is providing only once-monthly visits for Palestinian men prisoners.

This action comes alongside the frequent denial of family visits by the Israeli prison authorities, either by prohibitions placed on individual prisoners or through the denial of visit permits, and so is viewed by Palestinian prisoners as being part and parcel of an ongoing attempt to isolate prisoners from their families and to collectively punish Palestinian families of prisoners. The ICRC has attempted to justify their decision as budgetary in nature, or complained that not all families engage in the twice-monthly visits. It should be noted that the visit days are a lengthy and unpleasant experience involving early departure, late return, multiple checkpoints and searches by Israeli occupation forces, and long periods of time sitting in prison waiting rooms that are often very hot and unsanitary. This is particularly challenging for the elderly parents or young children of prisoners. Rather than advocate for increased family visitation, longer visit periods, better conditions, and an end to the denial of family visits, the ICRC is cutting back on the time that is often most precious to prisoners and their families – the bimonthly visits.

Samidoun is petitioning the ICRC to reverse this decision. The petition can be signed at change.org.

While visiting the Ramle clinic, where very ill prisoners are held in often dangerous and neglectful conditions, Obeidat met with Jalal Sharawna, 17, who recently ended a ten-day hunger strike in protest of his conditons of confinement. Sharawna has been denied family visits despite his difficult condition; shot by Israeli forces invading his hometown in October 2015, his leg was later amputated a month later without the permission or consultation of his family or his lawyer. Sharawna’s father, Shaher, urged international attention to his son’s case, saying that he is only being given painkillers. He will have a hearing in his case on 18 July in Ofer military court.

Bilal Kayed to be transferred to hospital as health condition deteriorates, struggle grows inside and outside prison

10 July 2016

On his 26th day of hunger strike, hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Bilal Kayed will be transferred to hospital within the next several hours following a sharp deterioration in his health condition, reported Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association. Kayed rejects all medical examinations, salt supplements or vitamins and is only consuming water.

Prior to his transfer to hospital he has been held in Ashkelon prison in solitary confinement in a small 1.5 x 2 meter cell with no windows and denied access to a fan in the mid-July summer heat. He has only been permitted access to lukewarm tap water from the sink in his cell.

He launched his hunger strike on 15 June after being ordered to six months’ administrative detention, imprisonment without charge or trial, immediately upon the expiration of his 14.5 year sentence in Israeli prisons on 13 June. He is one of nearly 750 Palestinians held without charge or trial on the basis of secret evidence, under indefinitely renewable administrative detention orders. He – and fellow Palestinian prisoners – fear that this attempts to set a new precedent of indefinitely imprisoning Palestinians after the expiration of lengthy prison sentences.

Hundreds of fellow Palestinian prisoners are supporting Kayed’s strike, demanding his freedom. Palestinian prisoners affiliated with the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Kayed’s party, are engaged in a series of protest and hunger strike actions throughout Israeli prisons, demanding his freedom – they announced their steps of protest for July in a statement released on Friday, 8 July. Support for Kayed from imprisoned Palestinians crosses political lines – former prisoner Allam Kaabi stated to Asra Voice radio that the prisoners affiliated with Islamic Jihad and Hamas have expressed their support for joining the program of protest actions for freedom for Kayed.

Kayed’s comrades issued a statement on Sunday, 10 July, warning against incorrect or misleading media reports in the Palestinian and Arabic-language media regarding legal visits and ongoing negotiations in Kayed’s case, urging that the only lawyers authorized to speak officially on behalf of Kayed in Palestine are those from Addameer, and the only political body that can speak on behalf of the striking prisoners is the PFLP’s prison branch.

Kayed’s move to hospital also comes amid the beginning of an international week of action in solidarity with his strike, demanding his freedom, from 8-15 July. Over 170 international organizations joined the call for Kayed’s release, and many cities around the world held events on 24 and 25 June in support of Kayed and his fellow Palestinian prisoners.

On Saturday, 9 July, protesters in Manchester marched to commemorate the second anniversary of the 2014 Israeli attack on Gaza, demanding justice for Gaza and all of Palestine, and freedom for Bilal Kayed and his fellow 7,000 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails. Participants occupied a Barclays Bank branch in Manchester over the bank’s investment in the Israeli arms trade, including Elbit Systems.

Also on 9 July, eirigi activists in Enniscorthy, Wexford, Ireland, gathered to protest outside the offices of TD Paul Kehoe, Minister for Defence, protesting his participation in a NATO conference and the Irish government’s continuing arms deals with the Israeli state. The Irish republican socialists expressed their solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, posting photos of Kayed on the windows of Kehoe’s office.

At the same time, Italian activists began a “relay fast” for Kayed, from 9-16 July, with participants engaging in daily hunger strikes to demand Kayed’s freedom. Tampa, Florida activists are also engaged in ongoing daily hunger strikes to demand Kayed’s freedom.

Protests took place on Friday, 8 July in New York; Naples; Tampa; Arklow, Ireland; and London. Forthcoming events and protests demanding Kayed’s freedom are scheduled to take place in Milan, Beirut, New York City, Haifa, and Berlin.

Please use the form, email samidoun@samidoun.net or post to Samidoun on Facebook about events on 8-15 July, including existing events, protests, literature distributions or tables incorporating materials about Bilal Kayed and administrative detention.

13 July, Berlin: Protest to free Bilal Kayed

10 July 2016

Wednesday, 13 July
11:00 am
Auswartiges Amt (Foreign Ministry)
Werderscher Markt 1
10117 Berlin, Germany

Sit-in and protest organized by the Democratic Palestine Committees in Berlin, outside the offices of the Foreign Ministry of Germany, to call for action on the case of Bilal Kayed, Palestinian prisoner engaged in a hunger strike for his freedom from administrative detention since 15 June. Participants will present a letter and statement to the Foreign Ministry urging action in the case.

14 July, Haifa: Freedom for Bilal Kayed Protest

10 July 2016

Thursday, 14 July
7:30 pm
Al-Aseer Square
Haifa, Palestine
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/143311696093279/

In support of the hunger strike waged by imprisoned Palestinian struggler Bilal Kayed, the national forces in Haifa (Abnaa al-Balad Movement, the Communist Party, Hadash/Jabha, and Herak Haifa) call for wide participation in a vigil organized in Al-Aseer Square.

The imprisoned struggler Bilal Kayed was ordered to administrative detention for six months on the day that he was expected to be freed after 14.5 years in prison, on 13 June, violating all red lines in dealing with the imprisoned strugglers in Israeli jails. Over 14 years of imprisonment and 9 months of isolation have failed to break the will of this struggler. In the face of this injustice, he is on hunger strike, supported by his imprisoned comrades, where they have announced that they will not end their protest except through the freedom of Bilal. We gather on Thursday to support the prisoners and demand freedom for Bilal Kayed.

Prisoners step up protests as international week of action begins for Bilal Kayed’s freedom

9 July 2016

Palestinian prisoners announced their next steps of escalation as Bilal Kayed entered his 25th day of hunger strike on Saturday, 9 July amid an international mobilization for his release.

Kayed, 35, has been on hunger strike since 15 June; he was scheduled to be released after 14.5 years in Israeli prison on 13 June. Instead of being released, however, he was transferred to administrative detention without charge or trial for six months. Administrative detention orders are indefinitely renewable, and issued without charge or trial on the basis of secret evidence. Kayed is among approximately 750 Palestinians currently held in administrative detention.

Alongside Kayed’s strike, his imprisoned comrades in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and fellow prisoners across political lines have joined in a series of escalating protest actions demanding Kayed’s freedom. Kayed is currently held in solitary confinement in Ashkelon prison, in a small room with no ventilation; he has been denied even a fan. Hundreds of prisoners have been involved in the limited-term hunger strikes in solidarity with Kayed, and have been denied family visits and recreation, and leaders transferred between prisons in retaliation by the Israeli prison administration.

Protests have been taking place throughout Palestine and internationally for Kayed’s release. On Friday, 8 July – as an international week of action in support of Kayed began with protests in New York City; Tampa; Arklow, Ireland; Naples, Italy; and London began – fellow prisoners announced their next steps of escalation.

“In the context of the battle for freedom, the prisoners of the Front are declaring a new series of steps of protest of a tactical character, beginning as of Friday July 8, to keep the pressure on the Israeli prison administration to unconditionally release Comrade Bilal Kayed, including hunger strike on specific days announced below, as well as other meal returns and protests, up to the strategic step of open collective hunger strike which will be pursued if the prison administration does not respond to their demands. The meals of the prisoners of the Front will be returned on the following days in July: 8 and 9; 11 and 12; 14 and 15; 17 and 18; 20, 21, and 22; 24, 25 and 26; 28, 29, and 30,” said a sixth statement of the prisoners.

The prisoners also urged “widening and expansion of the popular campaign of support for Comrade Bilal and the prisoners’ movement as the real support and strength for our struggle, which enables us to continue this battle. We urge you to expand this campaign in villages, refugee camps, and cities, throughout the occupied homeland, from the river to the sea…We call upon the masses of the Palestinian people in exile and diaspora, and the progressive forces of the world, to increase the pace of solidarity activities with the prisoners of various kinds, and to actively partcipate in the week of international solidarity called for by the Samidoun Network, which starts today through July 15.”

As the week of action began, several important statements were released in support of Kayed’s struggle. Black4Palestine, which links the Black Liberation movement to the Palestinian liberation struggle, released a statement on Friday expressing solidarity with Kayed and joint struggle against racial oppression and imprisonment:

“Similar to the experience of our Palestinian comrades, the United States government silenced and neutralized our own revolutionary movement through incarceration and targeted assassinations during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. A political war has been waged against our communities as a whole, incarcerating millions of our people and victimizing many through police and state abuse.

This week in particular, we grieve the further loss of Black lives to extrajudicial killings by the state. We express our solidarity in the midst of immense pain because we understand that these violent acts are not “isolated incidents” for us or Palestinians, but systemic to the US and Israel.

In the midst of these wars on our existence, we submit that all of our prisoners are political prisoners, that all Palestinian prisoners are political prisoners, and that we have to fight to liberate everyone by abolishing the cages around us. We stand firm in our solidarity with Bilal Kayed and the over 7,000 Palestinians detained within the Israeli prison system, including more than 750 Palestinians being held without charge or trial.

Bilal, we salute you and your comrades struggling against incarceration and for the liberation of Palestine. We send you the solidarity of roughly a dozen of our own political prisoners from the Black Panther Party, Black Liberation Army, and other struggles–including Mumia Abu-Jamal, Sundiata Acoli – comrade of the revolutionary Assata Shakur, and Kevin “Rashid” Johnson, the Minister of Defense for the New Afrikan Black Panther Party, Prison Chapter.”

Read the full statement at Black4Palestine: http://www.blackforpalestine.com/blog/black-solidarity-statement-for-bilal-kayed-all-palestinian-political-prisoners

Coup Pour Coup 31, a French anti-imperialist collective, also released a statement urging freedom for Kayed and recognizing the 44th anniversary of the assassination of Palestinian writer Ghassan Kanafani. “Israel has always waged a war without mercy against the Palestinian people. Killing the leaders of the resistance, as was the case with Ghassan Kanafani, or jailing and torturing them, as is the case today for Bilal Kayed.” Full statement in French: http://www.couppourcoup31.com/2016/07/de-ghassan-kanafani-a-bilal-kayed-vive-la-resistance-palestinienne.html

A new issue of the Arabic-language literary magazine Al-Adab was issued on 9 July, dedicated to freedom for Bilal Kayed and imprisoned Lebanese struggler for Palestine Georges Ibrahim Abdallah. Among the pieces in the new issue is a prose writing by Mohammed Khatib of Samidoun Europe, reflecting the thoughts of a Palestinian refugee on Kayed’s case and the Palestinian situation today.

Meanwhile, protesters kicked off the week of commemoration for Kanafani and action for Kayed with protests in various cities. In Naples, activists took the streets to urge freedom for Kayed, carrying Palestinian flags and campaign posters and leaflets with information about Kayed’s case and administrative detention.

In Tampa, Florida, activists began a solidarity hunger strike to express their support for freedom for Kayed and his fellow Palestinian prisoners.

In Arklow, Ireland, socialist Irish republicans gathered to demand freedom for Kayed and mark the 35th anniversary of Irish republican hunger striker’s death in 1981.

In New York City, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network protested outside the offices of prison contractor and security corporation G4S, demanding freedom for Kayed and an end to G4S’ dealing with the Israeli prison system; while in London, at a rally demanding an end to siege on Gaza on the second anniversary of Israel’s 2014 attack, speakers highlighted the cause of Palestinian prisoners and Kayed’s case.

Events will take place demanding freedom for Kayed on Saturday, 9 July in Enniscorthy, Ireland and Manchester; further events will take place throughout the coming week in Beirut, Milan, New York City, and protests and hunger strikes will continue in Tampa.

New Yorkers protest at G4S office to free Bilal Kayed

9 July 2016

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network protested in New York City on Friday, 8 July to demand freedom for imprisoned Palestinian hunger striker Bilal Kayed, on hunger strike since 15 June to demand his release from administrative detention without charge or trial.

The protest, on the first day of the international Week of Action commemorating the 44th anniversary of the assassination of Palestinian writer and revolutionary leader Ghassan Kanafani and calling for Kayed’s immediate release, took place outside the offices of G4S security corporation.

ny3 G4S, the world’s largest security corporation, is a British-Danish multinational that contracts with the Israeli Prison Service to provide control rooms, equipment and security systems for Israeli prisons where Palestinians are jailed. It also is involved in youth incarceration and migrant deportation and detention in the United States, UK, Australia and elsewhere and is globally criticized for its poor human rights record. Palestinian prisoners, civil society organizations and international groups have urged a boycott of G4S for its profiteering from oppression, apartheid and imprisonment.

While G4S has pledged to end its involvement in occupied Palestine and other “reputationally damaging” businesses, it continues to profit from the imprisonment of Palestinians and Palestinian activists have urged the importance of continued pressure and boycott of the corporation. The UK’s government-funded corporate watchdog, the National Contact Point, found on 7 June that G4S continues to breach fundamental human rights obligations due to its involvement in Israeli prisons, checkpoints, and police training centers.

ny2 Bilal Kayed completed his 14.5-year prison sentence in Israeli prisons on 13 June; however, instead of being released, he was ordered to administrative detention without charge or trial for six months, under an indefinitely renewable order. He is one of nearly 750 Palestinians held without charge or trial under administrative detention, and over 7,000 total Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails.

Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners – highlighting the threat posed by this action, of continued indefinite imprisonment of Palestinians following lengthy sentences as an Israeli policy – have joined in Kayed’s strike for short-term hunger strikes and other protests. Kayed, now on strike for 25 days, is held in solitary confinement in a room with no window, denied a fan in the sweltering summer heat even as he experiences dizziness, fatigue and severe weight loss after 25 days without nutrition. He consumes only water and rejects vitamins, salt supplements, and medical examinations.

The New York protest joined actions in Tampa; Arklow, Ireland; Naples, Italy; and London on 8 July as part of the week of action. Further events are planned in Manchester, Milan, Enniscorthy, Beirut and elsewhere in the coming week; next Friday, 15 July, Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network in New York is co-sponsoring a panel discussion with a wide range of speakers, “Imprisoned Resistance: Politics of Incarceration in Palestine and the United States,” at the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center.

Photos by Joe Catron

Palestinian prisoner and former hunger striker Thaer Halahleh’s administrative detention renewed

9 July 2016

Palestinian prisoner and former long-term hunger striker Thaer Halahleh’s administrative detention without charge or trial was renewed for the fifth time, reported the Palestinian Center for Prisoners’ Studies on Saturday, 9 July. Halahleh, who is ill with Hepatitis C, contracted during a dental operation in Israeli prisons where improper sterilization was used, has been imprisoned without charge or trial since 19 August 2014.

Halahleh, 27, from the village of Kharas near al-Khalil, is held in the Negev desert prison. He has been denied family visits with his wife and children for seven months, and receives only painkillers as treatment for his illness.

Halahleh engaged in a 77-day hunger strike in 2012, winning his freedom from administrative detention without charge or trial in June 2012 alongside fellow administrative detainee Bilal Diab. He was arrested again in April 2013 and released in May 2014, before being once again arrested and imprisoned without charge or trial. He has spent 11 years in Israeli prisons, most frequently under administrative detention orders.

Halahleh is one of nearly 750 Palestinian prisoners held without charge or trial under administrative detention on the basis of secret evidence. Administrative detention as a policy as practiced by Israel is a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention and other relevant international humanitarian and human rights law. Palestinian administrative detainee Bilal Kayed is currently on his 25th day of hunger strike demanding his release from detention, imposed upon him following the completion of his 14.5-year sentence in Israeli prisons.

UK business watchdog highlights G4S’ continued breach of human rights obligations

9 July 2016

Samidoun is republishing the following statement from London-based Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights on the new statement of the UK National Contact Point – the government-funded corporate watchdog – on G4S’ human rights breaches. We urge the boycott of G4S to continue and grow; in particular, public institutions, universities, airports, United Nations institutions, and other public services and bodies must be urged to end their contracts with this human rights violating corporation.

UK watchdog criticises G4S for misleading public over breach of human rights obligations towards Palestinians and finds it has not implemented key recommendations‏

London, 07 July 2016 – In an important and critical statement published today, a UK government-funded business watchdog has found the British multinational company, G4S PLC:

Continues to be in breach of fundamental human rights obligations through its operations in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory;
Has failed to implement two of the business watchdog’s three recommendations to remedy the company’s breach of human rights obligations;
Issued a ‘selective’ and ‘misleading’ public response last year to the business watchdog’s findings, as consistently highlighted by legal charity, Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights (LPHR); and
Failed to ‘signal a serious intention’ to address the business watchdog’s findings and recommendations, a fact which the watchdog finds ‘disappointing’.

In June 2015, the UK National Contact Point (UK NCP) (which is funded by the UK Government to independently investigate complaints against multinational companies for alleged breach of human rights and other obligations) significantly found G4S to be in breach of its obligations to ‘respect human rights’ and to ‘prevent or mitigate adverse human rights impacts that are directly linked to its business operations’ in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.

This followed the UK NCP’s investigation of LPHR’s comprehensive ‘business and human rights’ complaint concerning services provided by G4S to Israeli military checkpoints and prisons that infringe the human rights of Palestinians.

In its first statement since publishing its findings last year, the UK NCP critically finds today that G4S has not implemented the two recommendations made to the Company which “were specific to the issues examined in the [LPHR’s] complaint” (see notes to editor).

The UK NCP concludes that G4S remains in breach of its human rights obligations, stating: “Until G4S publicly communicates the actions it is taking to address the impacts it is linked to by the contracts…the UK NCP considers that its actions are not consistent with its obligation…to address [human rights] impacts it is linked to by a business relationship.”

Since June 2015, LPHR has consistently stated that G4S misrepresented the UK NCP’s findings of breach (see notes to editor) and urged the Company to correct its selective and apparently misleading public statements on the UK NCP’s findings. In its statement today, the UK NCP acknowledges LPHR’s observations and states it “separately noted the G4S response at that time, and considered that it referred to the [UK NCP’s] Final Statement in a selective way that was misleading.”

The UK business watchdog further expresses that it is “disappointing” that G4S did not take the opportunity in its public response to “signal the seriousness of its intention” to address the UK NCP’s findings and recommendations.

The issue of misrepresentation was one of the issues of concern detailed in an LPHR letter privately sent to G4S in October 2015 which contained 16 key questions for the Company. G4S has failed to provide a reply despite it being re-sent in January and March this year, which is a point noted by the UK NCP in its statement today. LPHR published the letter on its and the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre’s website in May 2016.

Following today’s UK NCP statement, LPHR now publicly urges G4S:

To definitively commit to withdrawing from all of its relevant contracts with Israeli state agencies immediately, or as soon as practicable, so that it finally ends its unacceptable ongoing violation of human rights obligations towards Palestinians;
To provide a specific date by which this full withdrawal will have occurred, and to publicly report to all stakeholders on that date whether full withdrawal has occurred; and
To finally acknowledge the full extent of the UK NCP’s adverse findings of breach of human rights obligations made against the Company.

LPHR does not consider these issues to be adequately addressed by G4S’ recent statements – made subsequent to the UK NCP’s adverse findings against the Company – that it plans to sell G4S Israel. As far back as March 2011, G4S publicly stated its intention to ‘exit as soon as possible a number of contracts which involve the servicing of security equipment at the barrier checkpoints, prisons and police stations in the West Bank’. But despite repetition of similar public statements, this appears not to have substantively materialised.

Until LPHR sees that concrete, and irreversible, steps have been taken in this regard, it will continue to urge that G4S withdraw from these contracts in accordance with its fundamental business and human rights obligations.

Tareq Shrourou, Director of LPHR, said:

“The striking criticism of G4S by the UK’s business watchdog for misleading the public on a significant business and human rights issue is a decisive moment for upholding the importance of companies’ human rights obligations. LPHR has persistently highlighted G4S’ misleading statements and apparent failure to address the UK NCP’s adverse findings over the last year, but the Company has disturbingly provided either a woefully inadequate and misleading public response or no response at all.

“G4S must now demonstrate the responsible conduct required from a multinational company by fully acknowledging the extent of the adverse findings made by the UK NCP and by urgently ending its breach of fundamental business and human rights obligations.

“LPHR has set out, directly to G4S, a clear business and human rights analysis which clarifies that the only effective action the Company can take to end its unacceptable ongoing involvement in Israel’s systemic and sustained human rights mistreatment of Palestinians, is to expeditiously and responsibly withdraw fully from its relevant contracts with Israeli state agencies.

“This required action is long overdue, and we urge in the interests of accountability and transparency that full withdrawal takes place immediately, or as soon as practicable, with a specific date provided for when it will be completed.”

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