The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/ Case PAL 200197 The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your intervention in the following situation in Palestine. Brief description of the situation : The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI), a member of the network, has expressed its grave concern over the sudden death of Mr Faiz Hana Kumsiveh (age 53) on 17 January 1997 in Bethlehem Prison. According to information received, Mr Faiz Hana Kumsiveh, a resident of Bet Sahour married with 6 children, was arrested in February 1996 by the Palestinian Security Service (the Muchabarat) on suspicion of involvement in the murder of a Fatah activitst in Bet Sahour in 1981. Mr Faiz Hana Kumsiveh was allegedly held for 11 months without formal charge or trial. According to the information, on Friday the 17th of January 1997, Mr Faiz Hana Kumsiveh's wife visited him at the prison at 12:00. He looked well, despite the fact that he has suffered from heart disease for the last two years. At 5 o'clock in the afternoon, Mr Faiz Hana Kumsiveh's wife was notified by the hospital El Hussein in Bet Jallah on the arrival from the prison of her husband's dead body. On the orders of the prosecution, an autopsy was performed on the body on 18 January 1997 at 12:00 noon. According to the initial results, signs of beating on the neck and forehead of Mr Faiz Hana Kumsiveh were found. Additionally, an X-ray showed that his left arm had been broken. Action requested : Please write to the Palestinian authorities urging them to : i. guarantee an exhaustive and impartial enquiry into Mr Faiz Hana Kumsiveh's death, identity those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law; ii. ensure Mr Faiz Hana Kumsiveh's family the right to appropriate redress and compensation; iii. guarantee at all times full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international standards. Addresses : Mr Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Khadra Building, Omar al-Mukhtar Street, Gaza. Fax : + 972 7 822 366 Mr Freih Abu-Middein, Palestinian Authority, Minister of Justice, Abu Khadra Building, Omar al- Mukhtar Street, Gaza. Fax : + 972 7 822 365 Mr Khalid al-Qidrah, Attorney General, Palestinian Authority, Attorney General Building, Yarmouk, Gaza. Fax : + 972 7 824 503 Geneva, 20 January 1997 Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply. Ben Schonveld Projects Manager OMCT-SOS-Torture Fax 4122 733 3140 Ph 4122 733 1051 OMCT is: l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture The World Organisation Against Torture