FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Joint Public Statement
Complaint submitted to the United Nations concerning the Israeli military arrest, detention and indictment of the Palestinian human rights defender, Ms Khalida Jarrar
London, Ramallah and New York, 16 June 2015 - Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights (LPHR), Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association (Addameer) and the National Lawyers Guild (NLG) have submitted a joint complaint to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders (UNSR) concerning the Israeli military arrest, detention and indictment of the Palestinian human rights defender, Ms Khalida Jarrar.
Ms Khalida Jarrar is a Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member, lawyer and vice-chairperson of the Board of Directors of Addameer. She has been the head of the Prisoners Commission of the PLC since 2006, and was recently appointed to the Palestinian National Committee for the follow-up of the International Criminal Court.
Ms Khalida Jarrar was arrested at her home on 2 April 2015 at approximately 1:30am, and held in detention under military administrative detention powers until 4 May 2015, when she was subsequently detained under military prosecution provisions. The 12 charges issued against Ms Khalida Jarrar indicates that her arrest, detention and indictment by Israeli military authorities are as a direct result of her human rights advocacy work on behalf of prisoners’ rights, and for exercising her rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. Her trial will begin next Monday 22 June 2015.
LPHR, Addameer and NLG are very seriously concerned that Ms Khalida Jarrar is being illegitimately targeted and punished by Israeli military authorities as a result of her significant work promoting and protecting the human rights of Palestinian prisoners. The arrest, detention, use of secret evidence and indictment of Ms Khalida Jarrar amounts to an illegitimate and grave interference with a range of fundamental rights under international human rights law.
Ms Khalida Jarrar's peaceful work to promote, protect and realise human rights and fundamental freedoms means she is entitled to the human rights protections outlined in the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
LPHR, Addameer and NLG have therefore requested in their complaint that the UNSR undertake an urgent examination into Ms Khalida Jarrar's case and makes urgent contact with the government of Israel to ensure that her treatment is consistent with fundamental rights guarantees contained within international human rights law.
LPHR, Addameer and NLG have further requested that the UNSR considers urging the Israeli military authorities to repeal Military Order 101 and section 85(a) of the Emergency Regulations 1945, on the basis that these unjust laws are repeatedly used to unjustifiably and substantially infringe upon fundamental civil and political rights guaranteed by international human rights law.
Copies of the complaint submission have additionally been provided to EU member state diplomatic missions with the request that they take appropriate action to protect Ms Khalida Jarrar further to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders.
Contact information:
Tareq Shrourou, LPHR, London | [email protected]
Randa Wahbe, Addameer, Ramallah | [email protected]
About Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights (LPHR)
LPHR is a lawyer-based legal charity in the United Kingdom that works on legal projects aimed at protecting and advancing Palestinian human rights.
About Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association (Addameer)
Addameer is a Palestinian non-governmental, civil institution that works to support Palestinian political prisoners held in Israeli and Palestinian prisons.
About National Lawyers Guild (NLG)
NLG is a non-governmental, public interest association based in the United States that works to protect civil liberties and human rights as afforded by international law.