UPWC president Khitam Saafin receives three months administrative detention order

Civil society leader and President of the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees Khitam Saafin, who was arrested in a pre-dawn raid by Israeli occupation forces on 2 July 2017, received a three months administrative detention order, signed by the occupation military commander of the West Bank today, 9 July 2017. A confirmation hearing will be held at Ofer military court on 12 July 2017. 

Saafin had her first on 5 July 2017, where the judge decided to extend her detention to an additional 72 hours. Khitam Saafin, president of the Union of Palestinian Women's Committee has spoken internationally and participated in many worldwide events, including the World Social Forum, linking women’s struggles internationally with the struggle of Palestinian women for national and social liberation.

Addameer calls for the immediate release of Khitam Saafin, as her detention constitutes an attack against Palestinian civil society leaders.

In the occupied Palestinian West Bank, the Israeli army is authorized to issue administrative detention orders against Palestinian civilians on the basis of Military Order 1651. This order empowers military commanders to detain an individual for up to six-month renewable periods if they have “reasonable grounds to presume that the security of the area or public security requires the detention.” On or just before the expiry date, the detention order is frequently renewed. This process can be continued indefinitely.
 
This practice of arbitrary detention is a grave violation of international laws and human rights standards, particularly articles 78 and 72 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which state that an accused individual has the right to defend himself. This also violates Article 66 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and the basic standards of fair trial.