Prisoners’ Mass Hunger Strike Suspended; Solidarity and Action Needed for Struggle to Come

11 August 2015

Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails announced today, 11 August, that hundreds of prisoners affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who had planned to launch a hunger strike today, are suspending their planned strike after a concession from Israeli prison administration cancelling the order banning family visits for imprisoned Palestinian leader and PFLP General Secretary Ahmad Sa’adat. The Palestinian prisoners are still calling for action – click here to find out what you can do.

The PFLP prisoners issued a statement noting that the struggle of the prisoners is far from over, and that they along with all other Palestinian factions inside the prison are engaged in united planning for the next steps of struggle:

Following the announcement of the planned hunger strike to begin today, the Israeli Prison Service was forced to rescind the order prohibiting imprisoned PFLP General Secretary, Comrade Ahmad Sa’adat from family visits. The first visit with his family will take place this month and the next in September, and there is a final agreement with the comrades in the PFLP’s prison branch to cancel this order on a permanent basis.

The PFLP branch in the prisons of the occupation emphasizes that the struggle inside the prisons is continuing and escalating, and that it is working in coordination with all Palestinian factions in the prisons, uniting all Palestinian prisoners, for the next stages of struggle to secure all of our demands and improve the circumstances of life for the prisoners. Therefore, the prison branch of the PFLP has suspended its decision to go on hunger strike as one faction, and will join together with the entire Palestinian prisoners’ national movement in the protest steps to come.

The struggle of Palestinian prisoners remains critical and international action is necessary. This concession was only attained because of the willingness of Palestinian prisoners to put their bodies on the line to confront injustice, and because of the eyes of the Palestinian people and the world on the struggle of the prisoners. Today, the united prisoners’ movement is escalating its struggle and calling for action, solidarity organizing and escalation of boycott to achieve its goals.

In particular, the situation of Palestinian lawyer and hunger striker, Muhammad Allan, 31, held in administrative detention without charge or trial since November 2014 is particularly critical and demands international action and solidarity. Allan has been on hunger strike for 56 days and is shackled hand and foot to his hospital bed in Barzilai hospital. He is being threatened with force-feeding – cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment amounting to torture – and becoming the first victim of the new force-feeding law passed by the Knesset last month, condemned by UN officials, the Israeli Medical Association, the World Health Organization and human rights advocates. His medical situation is dire, and international action can help to not only save his life but gain his freedom and that of his fellow over 5750 Palestinians in Israeli jails.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network notes that Palestinian prisoners’ organizations are working together to determine the next phase of struggle. The Israeli prison administration and occupation forces exert great efforts to divide Palestinian prisoners and their demands from one another by targeting particular Palestinian political factions – first one, then another. In light of this situation, Palestinian prisoners know that united action is always the most effective means of struggle. We also must stay on high alert, as we – and the prisoners’ movement – are well aware that Israeli occupation forces routinely violate the agreements obtained through Palestinian prisoners’ struggle. Sudden changes in the situation and the dynamics inside the prisons due to Israeli attacks and violations of prisoners’ rights should be expected – and we must be prepared to mobilize and respond accordingly.

The Palestinian prisoners’ movement is acutely aware of its conditions within the prisons of the occupation; every day, they live in confrontation with an occupier which routinely violates their rights, and yet they continue to organize and struggle. Our task must be not only to amplify their voice but to build a loud, broad and strong movement to achieve the just demands of the prisoners; their liberation; and the cause for which they struggle – the liberation of Palestine.

Take Action today for Palestinian prisoners!

1. Sign on: Send a letter demanding Muhammad Allan’s freedom, and that he not be force-fed. Israeli officials must hear the voice of the world demanding that this threat of torture be stopped, and that Allan, imprisoned without charge or trial, be freed.

2. Send a solidarity statement with Palestinian prisoners. The support of people around the world helps to inform people about the struggle of Palestinian prisoners. It is a morale booster and helps to build political solidarity. Please send your solidarity statements to [email protected]. They will be published and sent directly to the prisoners.

3. Hold a solidarity one-day hunger strike in your area. Gather in a tent or central area, bring materials about Palestinian prisoners and hold a one-day solidarity strike with Muhammad Allan and the Palestinian prisoners to raise awareness and provide support for the struggle of the prisoners and the Palestinian cause. Please email us at [email protected] to inform us of your action – we will publicize and share news with the prisoners.

4. Protest at the Israeli consulate or embassy in your area. Bring posters and flyers about administrative detention and Palestinian hunger strikers and hold a protest, or join a protest with this important information. Hold a community event or discussion, or include this issue in your next event about Palestine and social justice. Please email us at [email protected] to inform us of your action – we will publicize and share news with the prisoners.

5. Boycott, Divest and Sanction. Hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law. Don’t buy Israeli goods, and campaign to end investments in corporations that profit from the occupation. G4S, a global security corporation, is heavily involved in providing services to Israeli prisons that jail Palestinian political prisoners – there is a global call to boycott it. Palestinian political prisoners have issued a specific call urging action on G4S. Learn more about BDS at bdsmovement.net.

Türkçe: FİLİSTİN’DE SİYASAL TUTSAKLAR BASKILARA KARŞI AÇLIK GREVİNDE!

10 August 2015

Şuan 180 Filistinli tutsak açlık grevinde. Yüzlerce FHKC (Filistin Halk Kurtuluş Cephesi) tutuklusu Salı günü (11 Ağustos 2015) açlık grevine başlayacak. İsrail özel kuvvetlerinin Nafha’da gerçekleştirdiği ve aralarında Filistinli politik lider, FHKC Genel sekreteri Ahmad Saadat’ın da bulunduğu 30 tutuklunun ağır yaralanması ile sonuçlanan gece saldırısı açlık grevini ateşlemişti Tutuklular gruplar halinde tecrit edildi ve Nafha’dan başka yerlere nakledildi ve Filistinli tutsaklar bir direniş kampanyası başlattı.

EYLEME GEÇİN! Açlık grevindeki tutsakları desteklemek için önerilen eylem biçimleri:

Nafha’da, Fetih üyesi 120 tutuklu 6 ağustos perşembe günü, tecrit ve hücre cezasına son verilmesi, nakledilen tutsakların geri getirilmesi, kantinden yararlanma, aile ziyaretlerinin kaldırılmasına ve tutsaklara yapılan baskınlara son verilmesi talepleriyle açlık grevine başladı. 9 Ağustos’ta İslami Cihat’la bağlantılı 32 tutsak açlık grevine başladı, Ramon ve Eşel hapishanelerindeki onlarca Fetihli tutsak da greve katıldı. İslami Cihat tutsakları 10 Ağustos pazartesi itibariyle liderliklerini feshettiklerini ve bu yüzden İsrail cezaevi yönetimiyle resmi müzakerede bulunacak herhangi bir temsilcilerinin olmayacağını açıkladılar ve tutsak Nahar Sadi’nin tecridine, zorla besleme yasasına ve özellikle Muhammed Allan’a uygulanmasına son verilmesini talep ettiler ve grevdeki Fetih tutsaklarına ve taleplerine desteklerini ifade ettiler.

Bu açık açlık grevlerinin yanı sıra birçok kişisel açlık grevi sürüyor, yargılanmadan idari tutukluluğu süren ve açlık grevinin 55. gününde, sağlık durumu gittikçe ağırlaşan ve BM temsilcilerinin, İsrail Tıp Birliğinin ve insan hakları savunucularının kınadığı yeni yasa uyarınca İsrail askeri güçleri tarafından zorla beslenmeyle tehdit edilen 31 yaşındaki avukat Muhammed Allan da bunlara dahil.

İsrail hapishanelerindeki Filistin Halk Kurtuluş Cephesi üyesi tutsaklar daha önce 9 Ağustos Pazar günü başlatacaklarını söyledikleri, ancak daha sonra Çarşamba gününe erteledikleri açık açlık grevini Salı günü (11 Ağustos 2015) başlatacaklarını duyurdular. Ancak İsrail cezaevi servisinin aile ziyaretlerine yönelik yasağını kaldırmayı vaat ettiği Ahmad Saadat’a, Negev hapishanesindeki bütün tutsaklara getirilen bir aylık aile ziyareti yasağına ek olarak, pazar günü üç aylık fazladan aile ziyareti kısıtlaması getirildi.

Sol partinin hapishane kolu aşağıdaki açıklamayı yaptı:

Ulusal önder Ahmad Saadat’ın başını çektiği FHKC hapishane kolu, tutsakların haklı talepleri karşısında, Hapishane Servisi’nin uzlaşmaz tavrı yüzünden yönetimle yürütülen müzakerelerin çıkmaza girmesini takiben yaptıkları açıklamayla 11 Ağustos Salı günü açık bir açlık grevi başlatacaklarını duyurdu. Ek olarak bugün önder Saadat’a karşı güvenlik kısıtlamalarının sürdürülmesi ve aile ziyaretlerine üç aylık ek kısıtlama getirilmesi yönündeki askeri emir yayınlandı. Hapishane kolu, Saadat önderliğindeki Cephe tutsaklarının, işgalciyi, tutsakların taleplerine karşılık vermeye zorlamak için her türlü ihtimali tükettikten sonra, işgale karşı, hiçbir taahhüt ve koşula boyun eğmeksizin uzun ve zorlu bir savaşa girmeye karar verdiklerini vurguladı.

FHKC tutsakları bütün halkımızı, Arap ve Müslüman toplulukları ve ülkelerinde ve dünya üzerinde adalet ve özgürlük için mücadele veren güçleri ulusal hareketin tutsaklarına, işgalin istihbarat görevlilerine karşı gece gündüz sürdürdükleri meydan okuma ve metanet mücadelesinde en geniş destek ve dayanışmayı sağlamaya çağırıyor. Dayanışmanın genişliği ve derinliği tutsaklara haklarını tamamen elde edene kadar mücadele etme ilhamını veriyor.

FHKC tutsakları taleplerini açıkladı:

Filistinli politik lider Ahmad Saadat da dahil olmak üzere, sevdiklerinin ziyaretlerinden mahrum bırakılmış olan tutsakları ailelerinin ziyaret etmesine izin verilmesi;

hasta tutsaklara yeterli ve gerekli tıbbi bakımın sağlanması;

idari ceza politikasına son verilmesi;

hapishanelerdeki yaşam koşullarının iyileştirilmesi;

Metsada birimi de dahil olmak üzere, Sİyonist güçlerin özel birimlerinin tutsakların kaldığı bölümler ve hücrelere saldırı ve baskın yapmalarının yasaklanması.

Filistinli Tutsaklarla Dayanışma Ağı Samidoun açlık grevini sürdüren ve Salı günü açlık grevine başlayacak olan tutsaklara ve İsrail hapishanelerindeki 5750’den fazla Filistinli tutsağa yönelik desteğini ifade ediyor. Onlar ve bedenleri, gün be gün, adalet, geri dönüş ve özgürlük mücadelesinin ön saflarında ve politik güçleri ve birlikleri dayanışma hareketindeki tüm bizlere yol gösteriyor.

Samidoun Filistinli Tutsaklarla Dayanışma Ağı tutsakları taleplerinde bütünüyle ve koşulsuz destekliyor ve dünyanın her yerindeki Filistin dostlarını ve Filistinli toplulukları bu tutsaklara destek olmak için eyleme geçmeye çağırıyor.

Hemen eyleme geçin!

Tutsakların taleplerine destek vermek için bu açıklamayı imzalayın. Örgütsel ve kişisel destek kabul edilir, tutsakların talepleri ve eylemlerini destekleyen örgütsel imzalar özellikle önemli. İmza için tıklayın: Filistinli tutsaklar ile dayanışma çağrısı
Bir dayanışma mesajı gönderin. Bütün dünyadaki insanların desteği insanların Filistinli tutsakların mücadelesi konusunda bilgi sahibi olmalarına yardım eder. Moralleri yükseltir ve politik dayanışmanın inşasına yardımcı olur. Dayanışma mesajlarınızı [email protected]adresine gönderin. Yayınlanacaklar ve tutsaklara gönderilecekler.
Bulunduğunuz yerde bir günlük dayanışma grevi örgütleyin. Bir çadırda veya merkezi bir yerde toplanın. Yanınıza Filistinli tutsaklarla ilgili bilgilendirici malzemeler alın ve farkındalık yaratmak ve tutsakların mücadelesi ve Filistin davasıyla dayanışmak için bir günlük dayanışma grevi yapın. Eyleminizden bizi haberdar etmek için lütfen [email protected]adresine mail atın; haberi yaygınlaştırırız ve tutsaklarla paylaşırız.
Bulunduğunuz yerdeki İsrail konsolosluğu ve elçiliğini protesto edin.İdari ceza ve Filistinli açlık grevcileriyle ilgili afiş ve bildiriler götürün ve bir protesto eylemi yapın veya bu konuyu Filistin ve sosyal adaletle ilgili bir sonraki etkinliğinize dahil edin. Eyleminizden bizi haberdar etmek için lütfen [email protected]adresine mail atın; haberi yaygınlaştırırız ve tutsaklarla paylaşırız.
Boykot, Yatırımların Geri Çekilmesini ve Yaptırımlar. İsrail’in uluslararası yasaları çiğnediği için yargılanmasını sağlayın. İsrail mallarını satın almayın, işgalden çıkarı olan şirketlerin yatırımlarının son bulması için kampanya yürütün. Küresel bir güvenlik şirketi olan G4S Filistinli politik tutsakların kaldığı İsrail hapishanelerine hizmet sağlamak konusunda büyük pay sahibidir. Bu şirketin boykot edilmesi yönünde küresel bir çağrı vardır. G4S’e yönelik eylemler için Filistinli politik tutsakların özel bir çağrısı da bulunmaktadır.

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Addameer: Call for Urgent Action: Save Palestinian Hunger Striker Mohammad Allan from Force-Feeding and Torture

10 August 2015

Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-IL) call for urgent action to save the life of Palestinian detainee Mohammad Allan, a Palestinian attorney who has been on hunger strike for 54 days in protest of his administrative detention without charge or trial since November 2014. Mohammad Allan is being held by the Israeli Prison Services (IPS). Early this morning he was transferred from the intensive care unit in Soroka Hospital, Beer Al-Sabe to Barzilai hospital, Askalan. Allan is in a critical condition, not taking any minerals, vitamins or supplements and has refused medical examinations.

Mohammad Allan was arrested by the Israeli occupation army on 6 November 2014 and has been under administrative detention since then. A six-month administrative detention order was issued and it was renewed for a further six months in May 2015. After extending his administrative detention, Mohammad embarked on an open-ended hunger strike on the 16th of June 2015 in protest of his continued detention without trial.

On Friday 7 August 2015, the Israeli Prison Service told Allan’s lawyer that it was planning to submit a request to the Israeli District Court to authorize force-feeding him as provided for under the notorious and recently legislated force-feeding law. A day later, Gilad Erdan, the minister of public security affairs, declared that the force-feeding law would not be implemented yet, and that Allan would be treated according to the Israeli Patient’s Rights Act. PHR-IL has confirmed that the ethical committee of the Soroka hospital has authorized forced examinations on Allan, yet the medical staff of Soroka hospital have stood firm and refused any act of coercion on their patient.

In response, hoping that other doctors might agree to force-feed him, the IPS transferred Allan to Barzilai hospital this morning. The director of Barzilai has told the press that the hospital would follow the Patient’s Rights Act and that he hoped Allan would be willing to accept medical treatment. It seems that the hospital is being put under pressure by the Israeli authorities who are attempting to influence the decisions of the hospitals’ ethics committees.

The Israeli patients’ rights act does not allow force-feeding. It anchors the duty to provide medical care conditioned with informed consent to receive medical treatment, even in cases of medical emergency:

Section 13(a) states:
No medical treatment will be given to a patient unless the patient has given his informed consent to the treatment. In addition, the Act anchors the provisions with regard to medical treatment without consent under very strict conditions which are intended to undergo examination by the ethics committee of the medical institution.

Section 15 states:
(1) A clinician may give medical treatment that is not one of the treatments enumerated in the Supplement to this Act without the informed consent of the patient, if all the following conditions are met:
(a) The patient’s physical or mental state does not permit obtaining his informed consent;
(b) The clinician is not aware that the patient or his legal guardian objects to the receipt of medical treatment;
(c) It is impossible to obtain the consent of the patient’s authorized representative, should such a representative have been appointed under Clause 16 of this Act, or it is impossible to obtain the consent of the patient’s legal guardian, if the patient is a minor or a legally incapacitated person.

(2) Should the patient be deemed to be in grave danger but reject medical treatment, which under the circumstances must be given soon, the clinician may perform the treatment even against the patient’s wish, if an Ethics Committee, after having heard the patient, has approved administering the treat¬ment, and has been persuaded that (c) there are reasonable grounds to suppose that, after receiving treatment, the patient will give his retroactive consent.

It is evident that in the case of Mohammad Allan, there is no justification for any forced treatment or force-feeding, since he is still mentally competent, understands his condition and the implications of his situation; he is able to engage in discussion and has expressed his will not to be examined or treated.

Any medical coercion on Allan despite his refusal may cause the opposite effect and result in severe health problems and even potentially jeopardize Allan’s life, as evident in Israel’s previous attempts to force-feed Palestinian hunger strikers during the 1980s, which resulted in several deaths.

Addameer and PHR-Israel warn against the forced treatment or feeding of hunger striker Mohammad Allan and stress that any such act of forced treatment and coercion on Allan while he is conscious, mentally competent and despite his refusal to get examined, treated, or be fed constitute violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.

Force-feeding violates medical ethics as it administers forceful treatment to a patient against his will, and is considered a form of torture. The World Medical Association addressed the Prime Minister of Israel, stating the following: “Force-feeding is violent, very painful and absolutely in opposition to the principle of individual autonomy. It is a degrading, inhumane treatment, amounting to torture. But worse, it can be dangerous and is the most unsuitable approach to save lives.” Article 7 of the 1975 World Medical Association Declaration of Tokyo explicitly states that doctors are not allowed to force-feed hunger strikers.

Addameer and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel also underline the World Medical Assembly’s guidelines in the Declaration of Tokyo (Guidelines for Physicians Concerning Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in Relation to Detention and Imprisonment) adopted in October 1975 which states that: “Where a prisoner refuses nourishment and is considered by the physician as capable of forming an unimpaired and rational judgment concerning the consequences of such a voluntary refusal of nourishment, he or she shall not be fed artificially.”

We urge you to take all action possible including writing to relevant authorities and decision-makers, asking them to put pressure on the Israeli authorities to dismiss their plans to force-feed Mohammad Allan and to put an end to his arbitrary detention without trial, which is a flagrant violation of international law and human rights guarantees and standards on fair trial. Addameer and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel are ready to help in providing material and support for any correspondence or action you intend to take.

For further information contact:

Rafat Sub Laban

Advocacy Coordinator

Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association

[email protected]

+972 (0) 2 297 0136/+972(0) 457 936418

Andrea Barsony

International Advocacy Coordinator

Physicians for Human Rights – Israel

[email protected]

+972 (0)527 424514

– See more at: http://www.addameer.org/news/call-urgent-action-save-palestinian-hunger-striker-mohammad-allan-force-feeding-and-torture#sthash.wua5Zzw9.suTXDkT4.dpuf

Khalida Jarrar’s military court hearing postponed until 24 August

10 August 2015

The military court hearing of Khalida Jarrar, the imprisoned Palestinian parliamentarian, leftist and feminist accused of 12 political charges, was postponed until 24 August at a hearing this morning, 10 August, at Ofer military court.

Once again, the military prosecution did not bring forward any witnesses or evidence and yet once again extended Jarrar’s imprisonment. A motion brought by Jarrar’s lawyers with Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association for her release on bail was also once again denied.

Khalida Jarrar’s next hearing is 24 August. Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network urges action and mobilization over the next two weeks to demand her freedom:

Take action to support Khalida and demand her release!

1. Click here: Send a message to the Israeli Occupation Forces and demand the immediate release of Khalida Jarrar.It is important that the occupation learns that Khalida has supporters around the world who will not be silent in the face of this injustice.

2. Sign the petition! Sign and share this petition, demanding freedom for Khalida Jarrar immediately.

3. Contact your Member of Parliament, Representative, or Member of European Parliament. The attack on Khalida is an attack on Palestinian parliamentary legitimacy and political expression. Parliamentarians have a responsibility to pressure Israel to cancel this order.

4. Send a letter to Khalida Jarrar – help support her and show her jailers that the world is with her!

5. Use the Campaign Resources to inform your community, parliamentarians and others about Khalida’s case.

6. Protest at the Israeli consulate or embassy for Khalida Jarrar. Bring posters and flyers about Khalida’s case and hold a protest, or join a protest with this important information. Hold a community event or discussion, or include Khalida’s case in your next event about Palestine and social justice.

7. Boycott, Divest and Sanction. Hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law. Don’t buy Israeli goods, and campaign to end investments in corporations that profit from the occupation. Learn more at bdsmovement.net.

Letter Text – Sign on here:

To Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Brigadier General Dani Efroni:

I write today to demand the immediate release of Palestinian member of parliament Khalida Jarrar. Jarrar, a longtime prisoners’ rights activist and political leader, was arrested in her Ramallah home in the early morning hours of April 2, as her home was stormed by dozens of soldiers and her husband locked in another room. She has now been detained for over four months, and is being charged before a military court for engaging in political activity: speeches, attending events, calling for freedom for Palestinian prisoners.

The targeting of Palestinian political leaders for arrest by Israeli occupation forces is an obvious attempt to silence and suppress Palestinian demands for freedom from occupation and apartheid. The arrest of Khalida Jarrar is also an attack on Palestinian women’s leadership and organizing. Thousands of people and organizations around the world have demanded Jarrar’s release, and we reiterate that call for her to be released immediately.

The world is watching and we stand with Khalida against this injustice.

Sincerely,

Error: Contact form not found.

Take Action: Letter and fax campaign to free Amer Jubran, unjustly imprisoned in Jordan!

10 August 2015

Palestinian activist Amer Jubran – with a long history of activism and leadership, and repression and deportation by the U.S. government – is now facing 10 years in Jordanian prison after a conviction on dubious evidence in an unfair trial with no due process, after charges of helping the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance.

Mr. Jubran was charged in August, 2014 under a new Jordanian law that makes “harming the relationship with a foreign government” a crime of “terrorism,” further demonstrating the political nature of his arrest and imprisonment.

On Wednesday, July 29, Amer Jubran was sentenced by Jordan’s State Security Court along with 8 other defendants. The rest of the defendants were given sentences of 2-3 years; for his refusal to cooperate, he was singled out for excessive punishment, and given a 15 year sentence (reduced by his lawyers to 10 years). The verdict comes after 15 months in detention–the first 3 months without charges.

It has been clear from the outset that Amer was targeted for his activism and political speech on behalf of Palestine. The lengthy proceedings before the State Security Court were a sham trial, before a court with no political independence, acting as a rubber-stamp for the GID (General Intelligence Directorate).

For full information and actions on Amer Jubran’s case, please see the Free Amer Campaign.

TAKE ACTION! Amer Jubran’s support campaign has called for an email and fax campaign to Jordanian officials, particularly Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al Hussein, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). Use the following emails and fax numbers, or click here to sign the Campaign’s sample letter online and send it directly!

E-mails/Fax numbers:

Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al Hussein

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Fax: (41 22) 917 0008 (If faxing from US: 011-41-22-917-0008)
E-mail: [email protected]

Prime Minister and Defense Minister
Abdullah Ensour
Fax number 962-6-464-2520 (If faxing from US: 011-962-6-464-2520)
e-mail: [email protected]

Minister of Interior
Salamah Hammad
Fax number 962-6-560-6908 (If faxing from US: 011-962-6-560-6908)
e-mail: [email protected]

Minister of Justice
Bassam Talhouni
Fax number 962-6-464-3197 If faxing from US: 011-962-6-464-3197)
e-mail: [email protected]

Take Action: Sign and Send this Sample Letter:

Dear UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al Hussein:

I am writing to ask that you intervene immediately in the case Amer Jubran of Jordan, who was sentenced on July 29th to ten years in prison by Jordan’s State Security Court.

Amer Jubran was arrested on May 5, 2014 and detained for over two months without contact with lawyers or family, in violation of Article 9 of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights. A petition against arbitrary detention was filed on his behalf with the OHCHR on July 2, 2014. Mr. Jubran is an internationally known activist, speaker and writer on the rights of Palestinians and against US and Israeli policies in the Arab world. His detention and trial by the GID conforms to a pattern of repression carried out by the government of Jordan against Jordanians who criticize these policies. Such prosecution violates Article 19 of the ICCPR, guaranteeing freedom of opinion and expression.

Mr. Jubran was charged in August, 2014 under a new law that makes “harming the relationship with a foreign government” a crime of “terrorism,” further demonstrating the political nature of his arrest and imprisonment. The wording of this law is so vague that it criminalizes a broad range of political activities including journalism.

Mr. Jubran’s trial under this law, enacted one month after his arrest, also constitutes a violation of Article 15 of the ICCPR, which stipulates, “No one shall be held guilty of any criminal offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a criminal offence, under national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time when the criminal offence was committed.”

Mr. Jubran was tried before Jordan’s State Security Court, a military tribunal that fails to meet even minimum standards of judicial independence. Proceedings before the SCC violate Article 14 of the ICCPR, which guarantees “everyone shall be entitled to a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal established by law.” Mr. Jubran maintains that his defense team effectively proved all “terrorism” charges against him false and that the verdict of the SCC was reached without regard for evidence. His conviction and harsh sentencing were an act of retaliation for his refusal to work as an infiltrator and informant for the GID–a violation of his fundamental right to freedom of conscience and political opinion, Articles 18 and 19 of the ICCPR.

In your acceptance speech at your confirmation as the UN High Commissioner by the General Assembly last year, you spoke of your commitment to push forward the issue of human rights on the Asian continent. Such a commitment can only be taken seriously if you are willing to begin at home. Jordan is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. As Human Rights Commissioner and a Jordanian, you have a responsibility to oppose the well known human rights violations of Jordan’s General Intelligence Directorate and State Security Court. The unjust verdict and sentence against Amer Jubran must be overturned immediately.

Sincerely,

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Take Action: Muhammad Allan moved to Barzilai Hospital, force-feeding feared imminent

10 August 2015

Palestinian lawyer Muhammad Allan, held in administrative detention without charge or trial since November 14 and on hunger strike for 56 days demanding his release, has been moved from Soroka Hospital to Barzilai Hospital in Ashdod in the early morning of 10 August. Allan is in a critical medical condition after 56 days of hunger strike. He is being threatened with force-feeding under the new Israeli force-feeding law condemned by United Nations officials, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the World Health Organization, the Israeli Medical Association and numerous human rights organizations.

Force-feeding is a cruel, inhumane and degrading practice that amounts to torture and threatens the health and life of Palestinian prisoners. Allan was threatened with force-feeding beginning last Friday, but Physicians for Human Rights-Israel reported that doctors at Soroka Hospital had refused to force-feed Allan. The move to Barzilai – where Allan continues to be denied family visits and is shackled hand and foot to his hospital bed – only raises fears that the Israeli military will attempt to force-feed him soon. International action and solidarity is critical to prevent this torture against an unjustly imprisoned Palestinian.

Take Action: Demand freedom – not force feeding – for Muhammad Allan!

1. Sign on: Send a letter demanding Allan’s freedom, and that he not be force-fed. Israeli officials must hear the voice of the world demanding that this threat of torture be stopped, and that Allan, imprisoned without charge or trial, be freed.

2. Protest at the Israeli consulate or embassy in your area. Bring posters and flyers about administrative detention and Palestinian hunger strikers and hold a protest, or join a protest with this important information. Hold a community event or discussion, or include this issue in your next event about Palestine and social justice. Please email us at [email protected] to inform us of your action – we will publicize and share news with the prisoners.

3. Boycott, Divest and Sanction. Hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law. Don’t buy Israeli goods, and campaign to end investments in corporations that profit from the occupation. G4S, a global security corporation, is heavily involved in providing services to Israeli prisons that jail Palestinian political prisoners – there is a global call to boycott it. Palestinian political prisoners have issued a specific call urging action on G4S. Learn more about BDS atbdsmovement.net.

Amer Jubran, Palestinian activist, sentenced to 10 years in Jordanian “security” court

9 August 2015

Palestinian activist Amer Jubran, who was previously targeted for his activism in the United States, arrested, prosecuted and deported, has now been sentenced to 10 years in prison by Jordan’s State Security Court after a year of detention. He is accused of support for the Lebanese and Palestinian resistance. Comrades and allies of Amer around the world are working to demand his freedom. Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network supports the Free Amer Campaign and demands the immediate freedom of Amer Jubran, a Palestinian political prisoner in Jordanian prison.

Please take the actions below! For more information, please visit the website of the Free Amer Campaign: https://freeamer.wordpress.com/. Click here to send an online letter calling for Amer’s release.

Statement from Palestinian Activist Amer Jubran
on Being Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison by Jordan’s State Security Court
(Audio recording with transcript)

See Action Steps and Open Letter below.

He was able to get a call out of the prison where he is being held in Jordan to make a statement about his trial and sentencing. An audio recording is available at the following link:

https://archive.org/details/AmerStatement

We include a full transcript below:

“Last Wednesday on July 29, 2015, I was issued a verdict of 15 years in prison which was reduced to 10 years later. This verdict was issued by a military court, a martial tribunal court made of three judges. The trial lasted for about 1 year and over thirty sessions, through which my legal defense team has proven beyond doubt false charges of terrorism. There were 10 charges and our defense amounted to zero effect on the outcome of that trial, as I was given a maximum punishment, while everybody else in the group were given 2-3 year sentences. It is clear that I am being targeted as a person, and such decisions had completely put aside law and justice and replaced that with politics and vengeance.

During the interrogation period, I was told by the GID that any decision made about me is involving (quote) ‘our American and Israeli friends’ (end-quote). All started when I refused to be a sell-out and work against the Lebanese resistance. I was told then that I will be sent behind the sun for such a refusal. And frankly it is very easy for me to disappear behind the sun rather than to be well outside but a sell-out and traitor.

Please use this information to spread to everyone among our activist media who are interested. Especially media that is pro-resistance in Lebanon. And anybody you think is worthy to take this information to. Also please tell my love and my respect to everybody who stood by me among our friends and brothers and sisters where you are. And I thank you deeply from my heart and please do not forget Palestine.”

***

In conversation, Amer further clarified that all 10 of the original charges were disproved by his defense team, but a new charge was manufactured at the time of the verdict. He also clarified that his refusal to be a “sell-out and work against the Lebanese resistance” was a refusal to work as an infiltrator and informant.

We are releasing this statement along with a call for activists to renew pressure on the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jordan’s Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al Hussein, demanding an independent review of Amer’s trial and the flagrant violations of human rights involved in his imprisonment. It is now 13 months since our initial open letter to the High Commissioner–an appeal that is still unanswered. (For the text of our letter, see: https://freeamer.wordpress.com/action-calls ).

Amer’s statement confirms what many of us have suspected from the beginning: his arrest and detention–and now his sentencing to 10 years of imprisonment–have taken place in coordination with the US and Israel.
Please take the time to forward Amer’s statement. You can support justice for Amer by sending letters, faxes and e-mails over the next week (8/5/15-8/12/2015) addressed to Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al Hussein at the following address:

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Fax: (41 22) 917 0008 (If faxing from US: 011-41-22-917-0008)
E-mail: [email protected]

And please cc the following:

Prime Minister and Defense Minister
Abdullah Ensour
Fax number 962-6-464-2520 (If faxing from US: 011-962-6-464-2520)
e-mail: [email protected]

Minister of Interior
Salamah Hammad
Fax number 962-6-560-6908 (If faxing from US: 011-962-6-560-6908)
e-mail: [email protected]

Minister of Justice
Bassam Talhouni
Fax number 962-6-464-3197 If faxing from US: 011-962-6-464-3197)
e-mail: [email protected]

***

Our open letter is below:

Open Letter to Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al Hussein
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
email [email protected]
August 3, 2015

Dear UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid Al Hussein:

We wrote to you in July of 2014 to ask you to intervene in the case Amer Jubran of Jordan.* Mr. Jubran at that time had been detained for two months without charges, and you, at that time, were the UN High Commissioner-Elect. Now you occupy that office, and Mr. Jubran has been convicted. On July 29, 2015 he was sentenced by the Jordanian State Security Court, a military tribunal, to ten years in prison on charges of terrorism. These charges were proven false by Mr. Jubran’s defense team, but a decision was made against him nevertheless.

We saw no sign that you acted to intervene in this case in 2014. Perhaps if you had this sham trial would not have proceeded. But now that it has come to its predictable conclusion we ask you again to intervene to question why such a harsh sentence could be handed down without evidence of any crime. As High Commissioner for Human Rights we believe it is your responsibility to act to review this case. Amer Jubran is an internationally known activist, speaker, and writer on Palestinian human rights, and a critic of US and Israeli policies in the Arab world. These are the reasons he was targeted, not for terrorism. Though Jordan is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the human rights violations of its General Intelligence Directorate and State Security Court are well known. This is a problem that, as a Jordanian and as Human Rights Commissioner, you have every reason to be concerned about. The unjust sentence against Amer Jubran should be overturned immediately.

We look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

The Amer Jubran Defense Campaign
defense@amerjubrandefense.org

*See our previous letter at https://freeamer.wordpress.com/action-calls/

cc:

Prime Minister and Defense Minister
Abdullah Ensour, e-mail: [email protected]
Fax number 011-962-6-464-2520

Minister of Interior: Salamah Hammad, e-mail: [email protected]
Fax number 011-962-6-560-6908

Minister of Justice Bassam Talhouni, e-mail: [email protected]
Fax number 011-962-6-464-3197

***

Amer Jubran Defense Campaign
freeamer.wordpress.com | [email protected]

Update: Take Action: Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners to strike Tuesday

9 August 2015

UPDATE, 10 August: There are now reports that the Palestinian prisoners in Nafha and Ramon prisons have suspended their hunger strike for two weeks. 32 prisoners are continuing to conduct their hunger strike. The Palestinian Prisoners Society is quoted as saying that there is an agreement to return prisoners in Nafha to their sections, and that the strike will resume if the Israeli prison administration does not comply within two weeks. The call for hunger strike on Tuesday, 11 August remains in place.

As of Sunday, 9 August there were 180 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails on open hunger strike and hundreds more set to begin striking on Tuesday, 11 August. The wave of strikes was initiated after Israeli special forces attacked Palestinian prisoners in Nafha, injuring 30 prisoners in a violent nighttime raid, including Ahmad Sa’adat, Palestinian political leader and General Secretary of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Groups of prisoners were isolated and transferred from Nafha and Palestinian prisoners launched a campaign of resistance.

TAKE ACTION: Click here for action steps to support Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike.

120 prisoners in Nafha affiliated with Fateh launched a hunger strike on Thursday, 6 August, demanding an end to isolation and solitary confinement, the return of transferred prisoners, an end to the denial of family visits, canteen (prison commissary) access and an end to the raids on prisoners. On 9 August, 32 prisoners affiliated with Islamic Jihad launched a hunger strike as several dozen more Fateh prisoners in Ramon and Eshel prisons joined the strike. The prisoners of Islamic Jihad announced that they were dissolving their leadership as of Monday 10 August – thus leaving no official representatives to negotiate with Israeli prison administration, and demanded the end of the isolation of prisoner Nahar Saadi, the end of the force-feeding law and in particular its use against Muhammad Allan, and expressed their support for the striking Fateh prisoners and their demands.

These open hunger strikes come in addition to several individual hunger strikes, including that of Muhammad Allan, 31, a Palestinian lawyer held without charge or trial in administrative detention who has been on hunger strike for over 55 days, is in a severe medical emergency situation and is being threatened with force-feeding by the Israeli military under the new force-feeding law that has been condemned by UN representatives, the Israeli Medical Association and human rights advocates. Click here to take action on Muhammad Allan’s case!

The prisoners affiliated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine in all Israeli prisons announced on 9 August that their escalation to open hunger strike – earlier announced for Sunday and then delayed until Wednesday – will now take place on Tuesday. Ahmad Sa’adat, for whom the Israeli prison service had promised to end the denial of family visits, was instead ordered to an additional three-month prohibition on family visits on Sunday, even as a one-month ban on family visits was imposed on all Palestinian prisoners in the Negev prison.

The leftist party’s prison branch issued the following statement:

The prison branch of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, headed by national leader Ahmad Sa’adat, will launch an open hunger strike on Tuesday [11 August], following a stalemate in the negotiations with the Prison administration, brought about by the Prison Service’s intransigence in response to the just demands of the prisoners. In addition, today a military order was issued extending the security prohibition against leader Sa’adat, denying him family visits for an additional three months.

The prison branch confirmed that the Front’s prisoners, led by Sa’adat, have decided to fight a long and difficult battle with the occupation which is not conditioned by any covenants or undertakings, after exhausting all options in order to impel the occupier to respond to the demands of the prisoners.

The PFLP prisoners called on the masses of our people, the Arab and Muslim communities and countries, and the forces of justice and freedom in the world to provide the widest support and solidarity to the struggle of the prisoners’ national movement in the battles of confrontation and steadfastness they are waging around the clock against the prison and intelligence officials of the occupation. The breadth and depth of solidarity gives prisoners inspiration to continue the struggle until their rights are achieved in full.

The PFLP prisoners have put forward their demands:

allowing family visits for prisoners who have been, until now, prohibited from such visits with their loved ones, including Palestinian political leader Ahmad Sa’adat;
providing necessary and adequate medical care to sick prisoners;
ending the policy of administrative detentions;
improving the living conditions inside the prisons;
prohibiting invasions and raids by special units of the Zionist forces, including the Metsada unit, on the sections and cells of the prisoners.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network expresses its strongest solidarity with all Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike and those launching their strike on Tuesday, and all of the over 5750 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. They and their bodies are daily on the front lines of the Palestinian struggle for justice, return and liberation, and their political strength and unity are a compass point that inspires all of us in the solidarity movement.

Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network fully and unconditionally supports the prisoners in their demands and urges actions around the world by friends of Palestine and Palestinian communities to support these prisoners.

Take action now!

1. Sign on to this statement in support of the prisoners’ demands. Organizational and individual endorsements are welcome – and organizational endorsements particularly critical – in support of the prisoners’ demands and their actions. Click here to sign or sign below: http://bit.ly/HungerStrikeSolidarity

2. Send a solidarity statement. The support of people around the world helps to inform people about the struggle of Palestinian prisoners. It is a morale booster and helps to build political solidarity. Please send your solidarity statements to [email protected]. They will be published and sent directly to the prisoners.

3. Hold a solidarity one-day hunger strike in your area. Gather in a tent or central area, bring materials about Palestinian prisoners and hold a one-day solidarity strike to raise awareness and provide support for the struggle of the prisoners and the Palestinian cause. Please email us at [email protected] to inform us of your action – we will publicize and share news with the prisoners.

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55 days of hunger strike: Allan shackled to hospital bed, threatened with force-feeding

9 August 2015

Imprisoned Palestinian lawyer Muhammad Allan, 31, who is held in administrative detention without charge or trial and has been on hunger strike for the past 55 days, continues to be threatened with force-feeding by the Israeli military as he lays in critical condition in Soroka hospital. Take Action to demand he not be force-fed.

He is drinking only water and refuses to consume vitamins and minerals, refusing medical examinations, and is committed to continuing his hunger strike until he is released from administrative detention. He is vomiting water when drinking and suffering extreme weakness; he is being held in intensive care, with one hand and one foot shackled to his hospital bed, isolated and in the presence of three prison guards.

UN officials on Saturday condemned the threat to force-feed Allan, saying that “the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental human right…Hunger strikes are a non-violent form of protest used by individuals who have exhausted other forms of protest to highlight the seriousness of their situations.” The letter, signed by Robert Piper, UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Aid in Palestine; James Turpin, head of the High Commissioner for Human Rights office; and Dr. Gerald Rockenschaub, head of the World Health Organization office in Palestine, strongly condemned the law and highlighted previous condemnations of force-feeding, a cruel, inhumane and degrading practice amounting to torture.

The letter also urged an end to administrative detention, noting that it is “incompatible with international human rights law and should be ended.”

The International Middle East Media Center reported that Soroka’s Medical Committee had given approval to force-feed Allan, but Physicians for Human Rights – Israel tweeted on Sunday that his doctors at the hospital refuse to force-feed him or otherwise impose treatment against his will. Israeli Channel 2 reported that a “special ER” is being constructed by the Israeli military to engage in this force-feeding practice, which amounts to torture and is prohibited by the international conventions of the World Health Organization.

Take Action: Demand freedom – not force feeding – for Muhammad Allan!

Letter text – Sign on below!
To Brigadier General Dani Afroni, Military Judge Advocate General and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu;

I write today to call for an immediate release of Palestinian hunger striker Muhammad Allan, held without charge or trial under administrative detention. He has been on hunger strike for over 50 days.

With equal emphasis, I demand that Muhammad Allan not be subject to force-feeding. Force feeding is cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment – it is a form of torture that threatens Allan’s life. It violates international conventions and medical codes of ethics.

I also demand the end of the use of administrative detention. Like 400 other Palestinians, Allan is being held without charge or trial and under secret evidence. There is no justification for administrative detention.

The life of Muhammad Allan – and the lives of thousands of Palestinian prisoners- is precious to me and to people around the world. The eyes of the world are on these case, and the government of Israel is fully responsible for Muhammad Allan’s life. This young Palestinian lawyer must be freed, and must not be subject to the torture of force-feeding.

Allan must be released immediately and without condition, along with his fellow administrative detainees and the law allowing force-feeding immediately rescinded.

Sincerely,

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Thaer Halahleh’s administrative detention renewed again

9 August 2015

Report from the Palestine Information Center: (PIC)– The Israeli Occupation Authorities (IOA) renewed the administrative detention of the patient prisoner Thaer Halahleh, 36, for six months for the third time in a row.

Halahleh was re-arrested on August 2014. Since then, he was held in administrative detention without charge or trial.
IOA have earlier refused several appeals submitted by Halahleh’s lawyer for his release.

During his detention, Halahleh suffered a liver infection as he catches Hepatitis C virus during a medical test in Ashkelon prison.

Despite being held for a whole year, Halahleh did not receive any medical care. He was instead subjected to deliberate medical negligence.

Prisoners Information Center warned of the serious health condition of Thaer Halahleh who had earlier declared a hunger strike for 78 days running protesting his repeated detention without trial or charge.

Halahleh has served more than nine years in Israeli jails during separate arrests.

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