Israel: Arrest of Adults and Children

Case ISR 250598

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), a member of
the network, has informed the International Secretariat of its grave
concern about the physical and psychological integrity of 15 persons,
among those two children [see Case ISR 250598.CC, Child Concern],
being detained in the Khiam Detention Center in South Lebanon.

According to the information received, Adnan Yahia, Hussain Mar'i,
Bilal Abu Ta'am, and Hussain Nasr were arrested by Israeli forces in
the village of Tabya, which is the Israeli-occupied "security zone" in
South Lebanon.  Between 2 March and 9 April, nine individuals were
allegedly arrested in various towns in the "security zone": Yusef
Dagher, Khidr Fu'ani, Haydar Haydar, Hussayn Haydar, Haytham Yunes,
Muhammad Zaraqit, Fadi Qasem Hamdan, Fatima Ahmad ' Abd al-Nabi, and
Muhammad ' Ali Masra.  These individuals are at risk for torture or
ill-treatment at this detention center.

Currently, more than 150 detainees are believed to be held at Khiam,
some of whom have been held without charge or trial for up to 12
years. Former detainees have described torture and ill-treatment that
included beating, whipping, application of electric shocks and dousing
with hot and cold water. Furthermore, between 1987 and 1995 and more
recently, since 10 October 1997, detainees have been denied visits
from their families, lawyers, and the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC). This increases the concern for the well-being of
these detainees.

Israel denies responsibility for the Khiam Detention Center and states
that all inquiries should be made to the South Lebanon Army (SLA), yet
Israel is responsible for what occurs at this facility since it is the
occupying power in South Lebanon.

Action requested :
Please contact the concerned Israel authorities urging them to:

i.	take immediate measures to guarantee the physical and psychological
integrity of all detainees in the Khiam Detention Center, particularly
that of Adnan Yahia, Hussain Mar'i, Bilal Abu Ta'am, Hussain Nasr,
Yusef Dagher, Khidr Fu'ani, Haydar Haydar, Hussayn Haydar, Haytham
Yunes, Muhammad Zaraqit, Fadi Qasem Hamdan, Fatima Ahmad ' Abd
al-Nabi, and Muhammad ' Ali Masra;

ii.	order the immediate release of these detainees in the absence of
valid charges, or if such charges exist, bring them before a competent
and impartial tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all
times;

iii.	ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and
international standards, particularly take all necessary measures to
conform with the obligations established by the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

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 General Yitzhak Mordechai,
Minister of Defense, Ministry of Defense, 7 "A" Street, Hakirya, Tel
Aviv, Israel. Fax (+972-3) 697 62 18 Lieutenant-General Amnon Shahak,
Military Chief of Staff, Hakirya, Tel Aviv, Israel. Fax + 972 03
6916940 Brigadier General Uri Shoham, Judge Advocate General, 6 David
Elazar Street, Hakirya, Tel Aviv, Israel. Fax + 972-03-5694370

Geneva, 25 May 1998

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code number of
this appeal in your reply.

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.