Hebron resident detained with Order Prohibiting Meeting with Counsel

Israel – Hebron resident detained with Order Prohibiting Meeting with Counsel Case ISR 050100.1 Geneva, 19th January 2000 The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Israel. Brief reminder of the situation The International Secretariat of OMCT received reports from the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI), a member of the OMCT network, that Bassam Na’im Ashak Natshe, I.D. #982732596, a Hebron resident and father of four, was arrested on 30 December 1999. According to the information received, Bassam Na’im Natshe was arrested and has been detained since in the GSS interrogation Unit of the Shikma Detention Center in Ashkelon. On 2 January 2000, the counsel for Mr. Natshe attempted to meet with him but was informed by the Shikma Detention Center that an Order Prohibiting Meeting with Counsel had been imposed through to January 6 2000. Therefore, on January 3, PCATI, through its attorney Na’il Zahalka from the office of Attorney Andre Rosenthal, filed a petition to the High Court of Justice demanding that the Order Prohibiting Meeting with Counsel be lifted and that Mr. Natshe be informed that he has legal representation. New Information The International Secretariat of OMCT has received further information from PCATI that on 4 January the High court of Justice refused to accept PCATI’s petition after reading the confidential documents on Mr. Natshe’s case. GSS lawyer, attorney Aner Helmann assured the court that he will inform Mr. Natshe that he is represented and by whom. Allegedly he also assured that he would inform Mr. Natshe that a petition was filed on his behalf and refused by the High Court of Justice on January 4. On January 6, a military judge extended Mr. Natshe’s detention by 20 days. Attorney Na’il Zahalka was informed by the Shikma Detention Center authorities, in a phone call he initiated, that the Order prohibiting Meeting with Counsel was extended through 10 January. On 11 January attorney Shai Nitsan from the Attorney General’s office, informed attorney Na’il Zahalka that, contrary to previous information, the Order Prohibiting Meeting with Counsel was issued through 13 January. Attorney Shai Nitsan added, that on 13 January the GSS would decide whether to extend it again. Therefore, on 12 January, PCATI, through its attorney Na’il Zahalka from the office of Attorney Andre Rosenthal, filed a second petition to the High Court of Justice demanding that the Order Prohibiting Meeting with Counsel be lifted and that Mr. Natshe be informed that he’s represented and by whom. Mr. Natshe is still being held at the Shikma detention center. Action requested Please write to the authorities in Israel urging them to: i. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Bassam Na’im Ashak Natshe; ii. ensure his immediate release if he is being held in detention without any valid charges or, in the event that there is, bring him immediately before a competent and impartial tribunal and guarantee his full procedural rights as well as their right to legal counsel at all times, in conformity with the international human rights standards; iii. guarantee all human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards. 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, 19th January 2000. Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.