Israel/OPT
17.05.00
Urgent Interventions
Israel: 61 year old man detained in Khiam
Israel: 61 year old man detained in Khiam
Case ISR 170500
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in South Lebanon, (occupied by Israel).
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity Mohammed Ali Kharroubi, a 61 year old taxi driver arrested on 11 May 2000 and detained in Khiam Detention Centre.
According to the information received from the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI), a member of the OMCT network, Mohammed Ali was arrested by the South Lebanon Army and placed in Khiam Detention Centre.
In light of reports describing harsh detention conditions in Khiam Detention Centre and descriptions of systematic abuse and torture, as well as repeated denial of access to legal counsel, PCATI is gravely concerned about the safety and well-being of Mohammed Ali.
OMCT underlines that the detention of Mohammed Ali is the responsibility of the Israeli authorities and urges them to uphold his right to legal counsel and to a fair and impartial trial and his physical and psychological integrity, as established, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both ratified by Israel.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Israel urging them to:
i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Mohammed Ali Kharroubi;
ii. order his immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges or, if such charges exist, bring him before an impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee his procedural rights at all times;
iii. guarantee an immediate investigation into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment, identify those responsible, bring them before a civil competent and impartial tribunal and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;
iv. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
Addresses
Ehud Barak, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Office of the Prime Minister, 3 Kaplan Street
Hakirya, Jerusalem 91007, Israel, Faxes: +972 2 566 4838 and +972 3 691 7915
Minister of Justice,Mr. Yossi Beilin, Ministry of Justice, 29 Salah al-Din Street, Jerusalem 91029, State of Israel. Fax : + 972 2 6285 438
Minister of Defense, Ministry of Defense, 7 "A" Street, Hakirya, Tel Aviv, Israel. Fax: +972 3 697 62 18.
Minister of Police, Ministry of Police, PO Box 18182, 3 Sheikh Jarrah, Kiryat Hamemshala, Jerusalem 91181, State of Israel. Fax : + 972 2 5826 769.
General Antoine Lahad South Lebanon Army, c/o Lieutenant-General Shaul Mufaz, Chief of General Staff, 7 `A' Street, Hakirya, Tel Aviv, Israel
Faxes: +97236916940
The Embassy of Israel in your respective countries.
Geneva, May 17, 2000
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
Case ISR 170500
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in South Lebanon, (occupied by Israel).
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity Mohammed Ali Kharroubi, a 61 year old taxi driver arrested on 11 May 2000 and detained in Khiam Detention Centre.
According to the information received from the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI), a member of the OMCT network, Mohammed Ali was arrested by the South Lebanon Army and placed in Khiam Detention Centre.
In light of reports describing harsh detention conditions in Khiam Detention Centre and descriptions of systematic abuse and torture, as well as repeated denial of access to legal counsel, PCATI is gravely concerned about the safety and well-being of Mohammed Ali.
OMCT underlines that the detention of Mohammed Ali is the responsibility of the Israeli authorities and urges them to uphold his right to legal counsel and to a fair and impartial trial and his physical and psychological integrity, as established, inter alia, in the Convention against Torture and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both ratified by Israel.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Israel urging them to:
i. take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Mohammed Ali Kharroubi;
ii. order his immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges or, if such charges exist, bring him before an impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee his procedural rights at all times;
iii. guarantee an immediate investigation into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment, identify those responsible, bring them before a civil competent and impartial tribunal and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;
iv. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
Addresses
Ehud Barak, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Office of the Prime Minister, 3 Kaplan Street
Hakirya, Jerusalem 91007, Israel, Faxes: +972 2 566 4838 and +972 3 691 7915
Minister of Justice,Mr. Yossi Beilin, Ministry of Justice, 29 Salah al-Din Street, Jerusalem 91029, State of Israel. Fax : + 972 2 6285 438
Minister of Defense, Ministry of Defense, 7 "A" Street, Hakirya, Tel Aviv, Israel. Fax: +972 3 697 62 18.
Minister of Police, Ministry of Police, PO Box 18182, 3 Sheikh Jarrah, Kiryat Hamemshala, Jerusalem 91181, State of Israel. Fax : + 972 2 5826 769.
General Antoine Lahad South Lebanon Army, c/o Lieutenant-General Shaul Mufaz, Chief of General Staff, 7 `A' Street, Hakirya, Tel Aviv, Israel
Faxes: +97236916940
The Embassy of Israel in your respective countries.
Geneva, May 17, 2000
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.