Today [3 March], 10 human rights organisations in Israel wrote to the Defense Minister and the Commander of Military Forces in the West Bank, sharply protesting against the denial of freedom of movement of Shawan Jabarin, Executive Director of the Palestinian human rights organisation al-Haq. Since Jabarin was appointed, in 2006, Israel has not allowed him to leave the West Bank. The organisations called for the prohibition on Jabarin’s exiting the West Bank be lifted. Otherwise, he will be prevented from obtaining a prestigious award for al-Haq’s work in advancing human rights.

Full Text of Statement Issued by the Ten Organisations

Human rights organisations to Defense Minister: Stop impeding freedom of movement of Director of Palestinian human rights organisation.

Today [3 March], 10 human rights organisations in Israel wrote to the Defense Minister and the Commander of Military Forces in the West Bank, sharply protesting the denial of the freedom of movement of Shawan Jabarin, Executive Director of the Palestinian human rights organization al-Haq. Since Jabarin was appointed, in 2006, Israel has not allowed him to leave the West Bank. The organisations called for the prohibition on Jabarin’s exiting the West Bank be lifted. Otherwise, he will be prevented from obtaining a prestigious award for al-Haq’s work in advancing human rights.

Between 1999 and 2006, Jabarin was permitted to leave the West Bank eight times. Since his appointment as Executive Director of al-Haq, however, the Israeli authorities have not permitted him to go abroad. Three petitions that Jabarin filed in the Israeli High Court of Justice against the prohibition were denied, based on privileged material provided to the court, on the grounds that he is active in the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. Jabarin was given no opportunity to confront the allegations against him, and was never questioned or summoned for interrogation.

Last month, al-Haq and B'Tselem were jointly awarded the “Geuzen Resistance 1940-1945” prize. Jabarin is scheduled to accept the award on behalf of al-Haq at a ceremony to be held on 13 March. Three weeks ago, he was informed that he is still prohibited from exiting the West Bank by the Commander of Military Forces in the West Bank.

In their letter, the organisations point out that freedom of movement is a fundamental human right enshrined in international and Israeli law. Prohibiting a person to go abroad, a severe impediment to freedom of movement, is permissible only in exceptional cases, when no other option is available.

On Thursday, 5 March , at 11:30 A.M., the Isreali High Court will hear another petition of Jabarin, filed by attorney Micha’el Sfard, against the movement prohibition imposed on him. Mary Lawlor, Executive Director of Front Line is attending the hearing.

For additional information: Sarit Michaeli, B’Tselem Communications Director, at +972 (0)50-5387230 or saritm@btselem.org