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Date posted: 11 January 2010
View this article online here:
http://sacsis.org.za/site/article/199.19
Israeli repression against human rights activists has increased since Palestinian civil society started pushing for the adoption of the Goldstone Report, the Real News Network reports.
It is believed that the repression is planned. Night raids, kidnappings and arrests have led to the detention of many prominent human rights activists in recent months.
Israel currently holds 7,122 Palestinian political prisoners in detention. Since its occupation of the West bank in 1967, Israel has set up a separate military legal system for Palestinians. Compared to their Israeli counterparts, Palestinians are interrogated for longer periods and can be held in detention for extended periods without access to counsel and judges.
Jamal Juma, coordinator of the "Stop the Wall Campaign" is one of most high profile human rights activists to be arrested. His arrest took place on 18 December 2009. He is being held in detention without being charged and lacks access to counsel. His detention is expected to bring about strong international pressure.
In an earlier interview with the Real News Network, Juma said that Israeli repression of peaceful civil society protest has been ongoing.
Mohammed Othman, another human rights activist and prominent advocate for the boycott movement was arrested upon his return from Norway where he was on tour speaking about the boycott campaign. After two months of detention and alleged torture, Israeli soldiers could not find evidence for his arrest. As a result, an Israeli court ruled to keep him jailed under a military detention.
Magda Mughrabo, advocacy coordinator of a prisoner support organisation argues, "According to Israeli military orders that are applied to the occupied Palestinian territory, pretty much every aspect of Palestinian political, social or civil life is criminalized."
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