2017-09-20

Gaza

Gaza

Demands Rise for the Establishment of an Impartial Professional Committee to Investigate the Reasons behind the Repeated Death Incidents at the Detention Centers in Gaza

The undersigned Civil Society Organizations and legal figures express their shock and deep concern about the repeated death cases of the citizens who are indicted or detained in the detention centers of the district prosecution in the city of Gaza. We demand that an impartial professional committee be established to investigate the reasons behind the reoccurrence of such incidents, the latest of which was the death of a citizen named Khalil Issam Ibrahim Abu-Harb, 19 years old, who died while he was being interrogated in the fourth floor of Gaza’s prosecution building.

We stress that the right to life is a constitutional right; is an integral part of the humanity of the human being; and is subject to administrative, criminal and civil liability. Any infringement to this right is strictly prohibited, including dismissal from employment. According to the statements of Khalil’s brother to MUSAWA, Hussein Issam Ibrahim Abu-Harb, who is residing in Al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza, his deceased brother died during interrogation. When referred to forensic medical examination, red marks were observed on the palms of his hand and the soles of his feet, in addition to other marks on different part of his body. As a result, the family refused to receive the body of the deceased and demanded to stop his burial, and that an investigation be carried-out to look into the actual reasons that led to his death.

We believe that the reoccurrence of such incidents, falling from the same building, requires the establishment of a neutral, professional and independent investigation committee to look into the circumstances and actual reasons for the repeated deaths and fallings of this kind. The results of the investigation should be announced in case suspicions of criminal offences were involved in these incidents, and those who are accused of committing the offences should be brought to justice and subjected to criminal, administrative and civil liability. Also, decisions should be made and measures taken to guarantee the protection of the prisoners from the moment of their detention until their release, especially during their interrogation at the detention centers or in the building of the prosecution office.

We call on all official and civil parties which are granted the authority to visit places of detention to play an active role and fulfill their obligations duly, while dealing with their recommendations seriously.

All of what has been said should be implemented in accordance with the Basic Law, human values, and constitutional rights and principles, at the forefront of which lies the right to life and human dignity.

Issued on 20/09/2017

MUSAWA – The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession
The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity “AMAN”
Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS”
The Palestinian Consultative Staff for Developing NGOs
Dr. Mutaz Qafshiyeh, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science/ Hebron University
Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development
The National Society for Democracy and Law/ Rafah
Brilliant Tomorrow Society/ Khan Yunis
QADER for Community Development
Women Center for Legal Aid and Counselling
Ma’an Development Center
Mothers School Society
The Palestinian National Institute for NGOs
Filastiniyat Organization
The Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights “Hurryyat”