APPENDIX 3: LETTER TO THE PALESTINIAN ATTORNEY GENERAL

November 19, 2001

Mr. Zuheir Sourani

The Attorney General / Gaza                                      

Subject: Re. The killing of Salem al-Aqra’ from Qabalan, Nablus

 The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group is an independent Palestinian NGO

working to end human rights violations committed against Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, regardless of who is responsible.

 We write to you to inquire about the case of Salem Mahmoud al-Aqra’ who died in Rafidia hospital in Nablus on 26/2/2001. He had been detained by the Palestinian Military Intelligence Service in Nablus since 6/2/2001.

 The PHRMG is currently preparing a report dealing with Palestinians suspected of collaboration with Israel who were killed during al-Aqsa Intifada. The local newspapers have mentioned that al-Aqra’ was killed as a result of his connections with the Israeli Authorities.

Could you please inform us whether an investigation is being conducted regarding this case? As far as we know, his body was transferred to Abu-Dis Forensic Institute for autopsy.  If so, what were the results of the autopsy? Reports have circulated suggesting that al-‘Arqa died as a result of torture he received while in prison. If this is the case, has an investigation taken place within the Military Intelligence Service?

Thank you in advance for your kind cooperation.

Yours sincerely,

Bassem Eid

Executive Director