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Palestine: Concerns raised about detention of union leaders

Graphic: Independent Commission for Human Rights

Palestine's NHRI has expressed deep concerns about the detention of the President and Deputy of the Public Servants Trade Union.


The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) is deeply concerned by the latest developments concerning the detention of the President and Deputy of the Public Servants Trade Union, which has resulted in the deterioration of their health.

Furthermore, the ICHR is greatly concerned that its staff members were prevented from visiting both the President and his Deputy in the detention centre and that their visit to both detainees in the Palestine Medical Complex, following their transfer, was delayed for no clear reasons.

These actions do not have legal justification and obstruct the ICHR from playing its role as a national institution in protecting human rights in Palestine.

ICHR calls for the immediate release of the President and Deputy of the Trade Union because their detention is not justified legally, the charges against both detainees are not yet proved and their health is deteriorating.

ICHR also calls for its staff to be allowed to visit the detainees without any restrictions or delays.

ICHR reaffirms the importance of respecting the provisions of the Palestinian Basic Law related to the procedures of detention, arrest and indictment.

ICHR also emphasizes that Palestine's obligations towards the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and International Covenant on Economic and Social Rights should be respected, including the provision of a fair trial, rejecting arbitrary or illegal detention and respecting trade unions' activities.

ICHR emphasizes that the Palestinian Legislative Council should exercise its oversight role and take responsibility to solve the issue of the detention of the President and Deputy of the Public Servants Trade Union through legal and human rights solutions.

Date: 12 November 2014

Source: Independent Commission for Human Rights


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  1. Independent Commission for Human Rights - Independent Commission for Human Rights