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Dear Friends,
Please find attached a
photograph of the vigil against torture organized last
Wednesday, 13 June 2001, from 5 to 6 pm in front of the
Russian Compound detention center in Jerusalem. Following
the call of the Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group
(PHRMG) and the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel
(PCATI), about 30 people gathered opposite the detention
center to protest the renewed use of torture by the Israeli
General Security Services (GSS) during interrogation of
Palestinian detainees. Several GSS agents walked out of the
Russian Compound during the vigil and passed in front of our
signs.
One of the Palestinian
detainees currently held in the Russian Compound and
subjected to torture is Abed Rahman el-Ahmar, field
researcher with the PHRMG. A petition on his behalf was
recently filed with the Palestinian High Court. It
demanded an immediate end to the torture that Mr. el-Ahmar
has endured during ongoing interrogations, and
requested his medical files so that the facility's doctor
could better address Mr. el-Ahmar special medical needs.
Both requests were rejected by the High Court on 12 June
2001.
PHRMG and PCATI wish
to thank all the individuals and organizations who responded
to our call despite the short notice given. We will of
course keep you informed about the fate of Mr. el-Ahmar, and
in particular about the outcome of the hearing scheduled
tonight, 17 June, 5 pm, in the Military Court in the Russian
Compound. This hearing will decide if and for how long his
interrogation will be extended.
Updated information on
Mr. el-Ahmar's case can also be found on www.freeabed.org
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