Israel/OPT
25.11.99
Urgent Interventions
Israel: detention of Su'ad Hilmi Ghazal
Case ISR 251199.CC
CHILD CONCERN
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention regarding the following situation ISRAEL.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat has been informed, by a reliable source, of the detention of Su'ad Hilmi Ghazal, 16 since her arrest by Israeli soldiers on December 13, 1998.
She was arrested, following a claim by a female settler from Shavei Shomron that Su'ad had tried to stab her. She was subsequently taken to Kedumim settlement where she was allegedly beaten by Israeli settlers. From there, she was taken to Ramle prison where she was interrogated and tortured. She was held incommunicado for 27 days, 17 of which were in solitary confinement. Following repeated appeals from the Palestinian Red Crescent, her family was able to visit her.
According to the information, Su'ad's lawyer, Khaled Quzmar, last visited her on November 4. He reported that she has problems with her kidneys and has lost weight. She has also gone on hunger strike in protest, for at least one month, accepting only one meal a day from her captors.
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Su'ad Hilmi Ghazal.
Actions requested
Please write to the Israeli authorities urging them to:
i. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Su'ad Hilmi Ghazal at all times and ensure immediate access to medical care;
ii. order an immediate investigation into the circumstances of Su'ad Hilmi Ghazal's arrest and all allegations of torture, and bring those responsible to justice;
iii. order her immediate release if she is being held in detention without any valid charges or, in the event that there is, bring her immediately before a competent and impartial tribunal and guarantee her full procedural rights as well as their right to legal counsel at all times, in conformity with the international human rights standards;
iv. guarantee all human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Israel.
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, 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.
The Embassy of Israel in your respective countries
Geneva, 25 November 1999
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
CHILD CONCERN
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention regarding the following situation ISRAEL.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat has been informed, by a reliable source, of the detention of Su'ad Hilmi Ghazal, 16 since her arrest by Israeli soldiers on December 13, 1998.
She was arrested, following a claim by a female settler from Shavei Shomron that Su'ad had tried to stab her. She was subsequently taken to Kedumim settlement where she was allegedly beaten by Israeli settlers. From there, she was taken to Ramle prison where she was interrogated and tortured. She was held incommunicado for 27 days, 17 of which were in solitary confinement. Following repeated appeals from the Palestinian Red Crescent, her family was able to visit her.
According to the information, Su'ad's lawyer, Khaled Quzmar, last visited her on November 4. He reported that she has problems with her kidneys and has lost weight. She has also gone on hunger strike in protest, for at least one month, accepting only one meal a day from her captors.
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Su'ad Hilmi Ghazal.
Actions requested
Please write to the Israeli authorities urging them to:
i. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Su'ad Hilmi Ghazal at all times and ensure immediate access to medical care;
ii. order an immediate investigation into the circumstances of Su'ad Hilmi Ghazal's arrest and all allegations of torture, and bring those responsible to justice;
iii. order her immediate release if she is being held in detention without any valid charges or, in the event that there is, bring her immediately before a competent and impartial tribunal and guarantee her full procedural rights as well as their right to legal counsel at all times, in conformity with the international human rights standards;
iv. guarantee all human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Israel.
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, 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.
The Embassy of Israel in your respective countries
Geneva, 25 November 1999
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.