administrative detention

Al-Haq fieldworker, Ziyad Hmeidan

Front Line welcomes the release on 18 March 2007 of Al-Haq fieldworker and human rights defender, Ziyad Hmeidan detained by Israeli authorities without charge or trial since 23 May 2005

AL-HAQ PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE REF.: 5.2007E 19 March 2007

Al-Haq Fieldworker Released from Administrative Detention

On 18 March 2007, Al-Haq fieldworker and human rights defender, Ziyad Hmeidan, was dropped off by the Israel Prison Service (IPS) at the Dahiriya (Meitar) checkpoint, south of Hebron, at around 14:15, marking the end of almost two years of detention without charge or fair trial. From the checkpoint Ziyad travelled to the village of Sa’ir, where he met briefly with a number of Al-Haq’s staff, before heading on to Bethlehem, where he was reunited with his wife and two young children. Ziyad’s release, similar to the entire process which arbitrarily deprived him of his freedom for 20 months, was marked by obstructions from the Israeli authorities.  

The head of the Russian NGO "For Human Rights", Lev Ponomarev has been sentenced to administrative detention by a court for organising a peaceful event to commemorate the victims of the Beslan school siege which began on the 1 September 2004. Lev Ponomarev had organised a meeting at Moscow's Lubianka Square on 3 September 2006 to mark the anniversary of the siege, during which shooting broke out between the hostage-takers and the Russian security forces. According to official data, 344 civilians were killed, including 186 children, and hundreds more were wounded. Lev Ponomarev was sentenced on the grounds that he did not have official permission to hold the event, however under the relevant Russian legislation official permission is not required to hold such an event, only to inform the authorities. Lev Ponomarev had informed the authorities prior to holding the event.

Police dispersed the meeting in Lubyanka Square and reportedly arrested a number of participants who were allegedly charged with administrative offences. Human rights defender, Lev Ponomarev, was the first case to be heard by the court.

21 March 2006 Front Line is extremely concerned by the second extension of an administrative detention order of a Palestinian human rights defender by the Israeli authorities. Ziyad Hmeidan, a fieldworker for human rights organisation Al-Haq, has been held by the Israeli authorities without charge or trial since 23 May 2005. He was informed earlier this month that his administrative detention would be extended for a further four months and this extension was recently upheld in a review by amilitary judge. To read Al- Haq statement click here To read Front Line report on Palestinian human rights defenders click here