**For background to previous arrest, see IFEX alert dated 24 May 1996** On 9 June 1996, Palestinian plainclothes policemen arrested Dr. Eyad Sarraj, a respected psychiatrist and head of the Palestine Independent Commission for Citizens’ Rights (PICCR) at his home in Gaza. Attorney General Khaled al-Qidra announced that Sarraj had been detained for interrogation for […]
**For background to previous arrest,
see IFEX alert dated 24 May 1996**
On 9 June 1996, Palestinian plainclothes policemen arrested Dr.
Eyad Sarraj, a respected psychiatrist and head of the Palestine
Independent Commission for Citizens’ Rights (PICCR) at his home
in Gaza. Attorney General Khaled al-Qidra announced that Sarraj
had been detained for interrogation for 48 hours. No official
reason for the arrest was given.
On 10 June, police raided and closed Sarraj’s office in Gaza
City, confiscating files and videotapes. The next day, al-Qidra
announced that police had found illegal drugs in the office.
However, in a letter smuggled out of his jail cell, Sarraj
accused the authorities of trying to frame him and reported that
he had been beaten while in custody.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
and to ensure that all criminal charges against him are dropped
having expressed his opinion to a journalist, a blatant violation
of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of
Human Rights
comments will have a chilling effect on press freedom in the
areas under control of the Palestinian Authority
Appeals To
His Excellency Yasser Arafat
President of the Palestinian Autonomous Authority
Gaza City, Gaza
Fax: +972 7 823 744
Please copy appeals to the originator if possible.
