March 28 1998

From Btselem

Help Release Administrative Detainees

Most importantly, detainees are being released. Imad Sabi' was released after 20 months in administrative detention. Wissam Rafidie was released after three years and five months. Samir Shallaldah was released after three and a half years in administrative detention. It is clear that public pressure has helped put a stop to the endless renewal of administrative detention orders.

Not everyone has been released, however. Close to 200 Palestinians remain in administrative detention, some of them for two or three years, and even more. Ahmad Qattamesh has been held in administrative detention since October 1993. Khaled Deleisheh has been held in administrative detention since April 1994. Without charges, with no trial, without being provided with any information on why they are being detained, with no idea when they will be released.

You can help put a stop to this. On April 8, the administrative detention orders of both Ahmed Qattamesh and Khaled Deleisheh expire. In the weeks prior, the security forces will decide whether to extend the detention orders for yet another period. Write to those responsible urging them not to allow new extensions of the administrative detention orders.

Faxes should be sent to:

1. Major General Uzi Dayan, Central Region Commander, Fax: 972-2-530-5741
2. Defense Minister Yitzhak Mordechai, Fax: 972-3-696-2757
3. Military Advocate General, Brigadier General Uri Shoham, Fax: 03-569-4370
* Please send a copy of your letter to B'Tselem.

If you are interested in joining the administrative detention rapid response network, receiving information on other long-term detainees and writing letters on their behalf, contact Jessica Montell at B'Tselem: jmontell@btselem.org; fax: 972-2-5610756; telephone: 972-2-5617271.

Sample letter
Dear Major General Dayan,

On April 8 the administrative detention orders of Ahmad Qattamesh and Khaled Deleisheh expire. I urge you to ensure that new extensions of administrative detention are not issued against these individuals, both of whom have already been detained for several years with charge or trial.

Administrative detention can only be justified as a short-term preventive measure in times of emergency. It cannot justify the detention of an individual for several years. If either of these individuals have committed a crime, they must be charged and tried for it. If they are not to be tried, they must be released. People cannot be detained for years with no due process.

The Administrative Detention Rapid Response Network is jointly organized by Addameer: Prisoners Support Association, the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, B'Tselem, HaMoked: Center for the Defence of the Individual, Open Doors and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel

B'Tselem: The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories - is the leading Israeli organization monitoring, documenting and advocating to improve human rights in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Founded in 1989, B'Tselem publishes reports, engages in advocacy and serves as a resource center.

43 Emek Refaim Street
Jerusalem 93141 ISRAEL
Telephone: 972-2-5617271
Fax: 972-2-561-0756
Btselem@actcom.co.il

http://www.btselem.org