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Political Arrest....... What
for?
Volume 4, Issue 3: The Palestinian Human Rights Monitor
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13. Words on Political
Arrest
The Palestinian community - all organizations and institutions,
legislative and legal bodies - agree that political arrest is illegal and
must stop. It is a disgraceful practice for any government to engage in.
It is considered arbitrary and creates a gap between the Authority and the
people.
Unfortunately, this practice is present in the areas under the Palestinian
Authority. At times it is used extensively because of the pressures
exerted on the Authority by the USA and Israel. There is clear evidence of
this, namely the existence of 250 political prisoners in PA prisons and
this notwithstanding the existence of judgements from the High Court
ordering their release. This is in clear violation and disrespect of the
law.”
Dr. Ghazi Hamad, Spokesman of the Islamic Salvation Party, and Chief
Editor of al-Risala weekly newspaper
“Political arrest is an illegal and immoral measure. Those who were
arrested before (by Israel) are now arresting others. The Authority
detains Members of Hamas Islamic Movement that resist the occupation. In
the past they resisted the occupation themselves. I do not believe there
is a law that allows political arrest.”
Dr. Mahmoud al-Zahhar, One of the leaders of Hamas
“We refuse to accept political arrest, regardless of the reason for its
existence. We confirm that there must be freedom of expression and opinion
as one part of a democracy. We must get rid of selfishness, tyranny and
fear. Palestinian society must be united.
Political arrest is a practice that violates human rights.We must respect
all human beings. This practice leads to the degradation of humanity and
the individuality of some people. Those who seek to liberate their
homeland must liberate themselves from such false practices in order to be
able to feel real freedom.”
Ismail Abu-Shanab, One of the leaders of Hamas
“Political arrest violates human rights and freedom of expression in
particular. It only means suppression of freedom. The right of free
opinion and expression can only be exercised in a state that respects
human rights. Political arrest is a product of an unusual situation. It
exists because of outside pressures. The form of political arrest that we
experience is unique. It is tougher that any other political arrest in any
other Arab country. For example, the conditions I had when I was in prison
were very hard. More than one party had to interfere in order to secure my
release. This situation makes things worse.”
Dr. Abdel-Aziz Rantisi, One of the leaders of Hamas
“From the moment they arrested me, they beat me without any charge. Then
they offered me 5 charges to choose from. During interrogation they used
an electric device that makes the body shake very violently. They used to
order us to place our hands and feet through the window of the cell so
that they could beat us. If a prisoner refused to do so, they would come
in and beat him up. They also forced us to put our heads inside the toilet
for a long time.”
A.L. from Gaza who was arrested by the General Intelligence on 5
January1995
“They beat me up with wires and a big stick whilst my head was covered
with a cloth bag. I had some bleeding over my right eye, so they called a
doctor. I told him that they caused this bleeding by beating me. After the
doctor left they covered my head again and beat me again even more
severely. They would let me go to the toilet and order me to come back
running very fast: if I missed my cell, they would beat me up. They would
order me to walk around with my head covered and beat me up if I touched
any one. They would give me a dish with food in it and order me to go up
some stairs with my head covered: if I dropped any piece of food they
would beat me up.”
A.J. from Gaza who was arrested on 12 March 1995 by the General
Intelligence
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