Derechos: Urgent Actions

ACTION ALERT
September 26, 2007 Contact:Rasha Mukbil
info@righttoenter.ps

Campaign for the Right of Entry/Re-Entry to the Occupied Palestinian Territories (oPt), A Grassroots Campaign for the Protection of Foreign Passport Holders Residing in and/or Visiting the oPt.

In a continuing demonstration of Israel's arbitrary denial of entry policy and disregard for the Palestinian population's right to practice their religion and worship freely, Father Faris Khaleifat, priest of Ramallah's Greek Catholic Melkite Church, was barred entry to the West Bank on Friday, September 14, 2007.

Father Faris, a holder of both Vatican and Jordanian passports, commented: "For the past six years, I have been traveling regularly between the West Bank and Jordan on church affairs without any problems whatsoever." Just one week ago, Father Faris traveled to Amman for several days and returned without incident. However, on Friday, his multiple entry visa as a clergyman serving in the oPt, valid until February 2008, was canceled by Israeli authorities at the Al Sheikh Hussein Bridge without explanation, and he was forced to return to Jordan. His de facto deportation has left the Ramallah parish without its sole clergyman.

Father Faris is one of thousands of foreign passport holders who have been denied entry by the Israeli authorities over the past several years. The priest's case is just one of numerous incidents of entry denial documented by the Campaign in recent months, demonstrating that Israel's regulation of entry into the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) by foreign nationals remains arbitrary, abusive and internationally unlawful. Even clergymen are not immune. Israel continues to abuse its control over entry, presence and residency in the oPt in a manner damaging family life, businesses and the religious and social institutions serving the occupied population.

The Campaign calls on third states, religious leaders and congregations worldwide to protest Israel's actions harming the Greek Catholic Church and to demand a clear, transparent and lawful policy for all foreign nationals wishing to enter the oPt.

Call the Israeli Embassy (202) 364-5542; and the White House (202) 456-1111; Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (202) 647-6575 today.

Website: www.RightToEnter.ps
Email: info@righttoenter.ps

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact: Rasha Mukbil, Coordinator, Media Committee
(c) +970-(0)59-817-3953 (email) info@righttoenter.ps

Case LBN 270907

Arbitrary arrest and detention/ Incommunicado detention/ Fear for safety/ Fear of torture and ill-treatment

The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Lebanon.

Brief description of the situation

The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a reliable source and by Antenna International, member of the SOS-Torture network, about the incommunicado detention of Mr. Mahmoud Abou Rafeh since May 2007 in the Ministry of Defense Detention Center.

According to the information received, Mr. Mahmoud Abou Rafeh, 60 years old, was arrested on 7 June 2006 by the Intelligence Services of the Lebanese Army allegedly accused of being a member of a network operating in Lebanon on behalf of the Israeli Intelligence Services. He was reportedly arrested by men in plainclothes who hit his car at around 5:00 am before taking him away leaving his car with the motor running on the crash site. He was then detained at the Ministry of Defense Detention Center but his whereabouts had remained allegedly secret for several days.

According to the same information, his family was granted a visit permit from July 2006 to May 2007 but under strict surveillance. However, since May 2007, his family was refused any visits. The military intelligence reportedly told them that the security situation prevailing in the country was making any visit to detainees in that detention center impossible.

It has also to be reported that Mr. Mahmoud Abou Rafeh’s lawyer was never allowed to meet with him. Moreover, he was heard several times by the military judge without assistance from his lawyer.

The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Mahmoud Abou Rafeh being particular at risk of torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. The Ministry of Defense Detention Center is reportedly famous for detainees being subjected to torture and ill-treatment as well as to solitary confinement. OMCT recalls that Lebanon is a State party to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

Actions Requested

Please write to the authorities in Lebanon urging them to:

i. Guarantee, in all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Mahmoud Abou Rafeh;

ii. Guarantee immediate and unconditional access to his lawyer, family and any medical treatment he may require;

iii. Order his immediate release in the absence of valid legal charges, or, if such charges exist, bring him before an impartial, independent, competent and fair tribunal and guarantee his procedural rights at all times;

iv. Order a thorough and impartial investigation into these events in order to identify all those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided by law;

v. Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.

Addresses

President Emile Jamil Lahoud, Baabda, The Presidential Palace, Ba’abda, Beirut, E-mail open@presidency.gov.lb, Fax : +961 1/ 425 393
Mr. Fuad Siniora, Prime, Governmental Palace, Beirut, Lebanon, Fax : + 961 1 869 630, / + 961 1 746 085
Mr. Elias Michel Murr, Ministry of National Defence, Beirut, Lebanon, Fax: +96 1 457 92
Mr. Charles Rizk, Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, Sami Sohl Street, Beyrouth, Lebanon, Fax: +961 1 427 975
Ambassador, Ms. Najla Riachi Assaker, Permanent Mission of Lebanon, rue de Moillebeau 58, 1209 Geneva, Switzerland, e-mail: mission.lebanon@ties.itu.int, Fax : +41 22 791 85 80
Embassy of Lebanon, rue G. Stocq, 2 1050 Brussels, Belgium, E-mail: ambassade.liban@brutele.be, Fax: +32 2.645.77.69

Please also write to the embassies of Lebanon in your respective country.

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Geneva, 27 September 2007