The Human Rights Actions Network
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ACTION REQUEST
Case ISR 070198 The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Israel. Brief description of the situation : The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI) has informed the International Secretariat of its grave concern for the physical and psychological integrity of Mr Faud Abed Kuran. According to information received, Mr Faud Abed Kuran, a student of Bir Zeit University (identity number #902921287 and resident of Al Bireh), was arrested on December 10th by the Israel General Security Services (GSS), on suspicion of membership of the Hamas Organisation. Mr Kuran was brought to the Russian Compound detention centre and has been held in the GSS interrogation wing since his arrest. Mr Faud Abed Kuran is the brother of Adel Awad' allah a Hamas member and wanted by the Israeli Authorities. Since his detention Mr Faud Abed Kuran has been denied access to legal representation and is being subjected to mental and physical pressure. On Thursday 25th the PCATI filed through attorney Leah Tsemel and Allegra Pacheco, a petition to Israel's High Court of Justice on behalf of Mr Kuran. The petition requested that the high court intervene to stop the use of torture during Mr Kuran's interogation, and that Mr Kuran be allowed to meet with his legal representatives. In the hearing the following day the court refused the lawyers to meet Mr Kuran. Up to the date of this appeal the lawyers continue to be denied access. On Sunday December 28th the Court demanded within 48 hours the interrogation logbook. On the 29th of December, in a closed session, Mr Kuran testified that his conditions were very difficult. The lawyers were denied access to this session. The PCATI filed an additional petition to the High Court on the particular interrogation methods being used against Mr Kuran. In response to this the President of the High Court has scheduled an unprecedented hearing before nine high court judges for a principle discussion on the interrogation methods allowed in the Landau Commission Report. The hearing will take place a 15:00 today, 7th January 1998. Last year the United Nations Committee against Torture called Israel to a special session to explain recent decisions of Israeli courts that appear to allow for the use of Torture during interrogation. During the session of May 9 1997 , the Committee concluded that "the methods of interrogation described by non-governmental organisations on the basis of accounts given to them by interrogatees which appear to be applied systematically were neither confirmed nor denied by Israel. The Committee therefore, must assume them to be "accurate". Action requested: Please contact the concerned Israel authorities urging them to: i take immediate measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Mr Kuran and all those detained in Israeli detention facilities; ii bring an immediate end to the use of torture and the judicial sanction of its use in Israel; iii guarantee an impartial and exhaustive enquiry into these facts, 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 take all necessary measures to conform with their obligations established by the Convention Against Torture. Addresses : Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Office of the Prime Minister, 3 Kaplan Street, Hakirya, Jerusalem 91007, State of Israel. Telex : 25279 mpres il. Fax : + 972 3 691 7915 or + 972 2 566 48 38 Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, 29 Salah al-Din Street, Jerusalem 91029, State of Israel. Fax : + 972 2 52 85 438 Mr. Yitzhak Mordechai, 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 Geneva, 7 January 1998
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