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POLICE BRUTALITY IN HEBRON
Family Dispute in Hebron:
Non-Violent Mediation Punished by Police
Fayez Al-Zir (45), father of nine, was visiting his cousin's house on 14
February at 20:00. There had been a long standing dispute between two
neighboring families, the 'Ulamas and the Natshehs. Al-Zir was there as a
mediator on behalf of the 'Ulamas, and both sides were pleased with him.
According to tradition, greatly strengthened during the Intifada when
Palestinians ceased to turn to the police for internal mediation, the
dispute was solved with a 'sulha' (reconciliatory ceremony).
Fayez Al-Zir, age 45.
Al-Zir in the hospital, following the police beating.
It is hard then to understand why the Palestinian police arrived at 23:00,
surrounded the 'Ulama house, and arrested twelve family members. The
family was taken to the police station and questioned by Brigadier General
Tarik Zeid. When Al-Zir tried to intervene and explain the situation, he
was taken away by two policemen who hit and shouted at him. He was then
tied up with a rifle-strap and beaten again with a large stick, and
detained for two days without any further interrogation before being
released.
According to his medical report, Fayez Al-Zir suffered from pain in his
head, limbs, and buttocks as a result of beating. X-rays show that his
left leg was broken as well. While detained, the police told Al-Zir that
disputes must be solved with the help of the police, and not through
unofficial mediators or traditional 'sulha' systems.
The Monitoring Group calls on the Palestinian Authority to allow for
non-violent traditional means of mediation in disputes. The behavior of
the police was inexcusable, and we condemn the violence used as brutal and
unprovoked
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