2021-08-24

West Bank

West Bank / Core Program / position paper

Arrest for possession of Palestinian flags: A flawed procedure and a constitutional crime that requires accountability and removal from office

MUSAWA - The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession expresses its shock and condemnation of the accusation of possessing Palestinian flags to the prominent legal figure and community activist, Fadi Qaraan, who was quoted as saying that the security services arrested him on charges of possessing Palestinian flags, and that he expressed his pride and veneration for the Palestinian flag, saying: that he recognizes that he possesses and raises the Palestinian flag, and requests that the prosecution adhere and the court issues a verdict convicting him of this charge, so that history will record that the justice system has convicted a Palestinian citizen of possession of Palestinian flags.

While MUSAWA condemns such a measure if it actually occurred, and considers it a flawed procedure and a constitutional crime that requires accountability for its infringement of national identity and values, its violation of national and popular sovereignty, the right to self-determination, its flagrant violation of constitutional principles and rights, and its grave violation of the right to citizenship and belonging for the homeland, and its harsh deviation from the provisions, texts and contents of the Declaration of Independence and the Basic Law, and the historical right of the Palestinian people to their homeland and identity, and such a crime requires immediate accountability for its perpetrator, including dismissal from job.

It is outrageous and shameful matter which requires immediate penal and administrative punishment, and it calls for dropping all charges against the detainee, Fadi Al-Qar'an, and releasing him and all prisoners of conscience immediately and without delay.

Issued on: 24/08/2021

MUSAWA