Ref: 83/2009

Date: 30 June 2009

Time: 12:00 GMT

PCHR Calls for an end to political arrests and for measures to ensure the
success of unity dialogue.

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) is concerned over arrests and
summons of activists of the Fatah movement in Gaza, and those of Hamas in
the West Bank, while a round of dialogues are taking place in Cairo. PCHR
calls upon the two parties to respect their declared promises before the
media, to immediately stop politically-motivated arrests and ensure the
appropriate conditions for successful dialogue and an end to ongoing
fragmentation.

In Gaza City, the Internal Security Service (ISS) summoned on Monday evening
and Tuesday morning, 28 and 29 June 2009, dozens of activists from the Fatah
movements and members of former security services for questioning. Most of
those who were summoned were released later. Some of them told PCHR that
the questioning focused on their affiliation to the Fatah movement and their
contacts with the Ramallah Government. They were also warned against
carrying out political or social activities for as long as Hamas members in
the West Bank are prevented from carrying out activities, Dr. Azizi
al-Dweik, speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, is prevented from
assuming his job and political detainees are not released.

In the northern Gaza Strip, on Sunday morning, 28 June 2009, the ISS
summoned at least 41 activists of the Fatah movement and members of former
security services for questioning at the ISS center in Jabaliya. Most of
them were released later.

In the central Gaza Strip, on Monday morning, 29 June 2009, the ISS summoned
at least 70 Fatah activists and members of former security services for
questioning at the ISS headquarters in Deir al-Balah. In the evening, all
of them were released, excluding Wassef Abu Sharekh, aged 40, from
al-Maghazi refugee camp. On Tuesday morning, a number of Fatah activists
were summoned for questioning. One of those who were summoned was
identified as Khaled Fares al-Sarraj, 44.

In Khan Yunis, on Monday morning, 29 June 2009, the ISS summoned at least
200 Fatah activists and members of former security services. A number of
them told PCHR that dozens of persons were summoned to the ISS headquarters
west of Khan Yunis, where they were forced to stand under the sun, were
humiliated and were deprived of food and water.

In Rafah, on Monday morning, 29 June 2009, the ISS summoned at least 30
Fatah activists and members of former security services for questioning. A
number of them were referred to the ISS headquarters in Rafah where they
were questioned and were ordered to come again next week.

In the West Bank, security services waged an arrest campaign that targeted
dozens of Hamas members, including journalists, public figures, members of
municipal councils, imams, university students and NGO officials. A number
of them were released after interrogation and after signing a document
pledging not to carry out any activity in favour of Hamas. However, dozens
of others are still detained.

In Qalqiliya, security services arrested 46 persons, including Mo'ayad
Yousef Shraim, member of the Municipal Council of Qalqiliya, who were later
released, and two other members of the council, Bilal Swailem and Nasser
'Ouda.

In Nablus, security services arrested 24 people, including Dr. Hafez Shahin,
Deputy Mayor of Nablus, who was later released, and Dr. 'Abdullah
al-Hakawati, a lecturer at an-Najah National University.

In Hebron, security services arrested 25 persons, including Nabil Ahmed Abu
'Ayash, member of Beit Ummar Orphans Association; Ramadan Abu al-Kibash,
member of the local council of al-Sammou' village; and Yousef 'Abdullah
Eslaimiya, deputy mayor of Ethna.

In Salfit, security services arrested 17 persons.

In Jenin, security services arrested seven people, including journalist Qais
Darwish Abu Samra, and Justice Abdullah Harb, from the Sharia' Court of
Appeal.

In Ramallah, security services arrested nine people and in Bethlehem, they
arrested seven.

PCHR reiterates its condemnation of torture, and all politically-motivated
arrests, and:

1) Draws attention to the Palestinian High Court of Justice ruling of
20 February 1999 which considers political arrests illegal; and calls upon
all executive parties to respect the Court ruling and refrain from
conducting illegal political arrests.

2) Affirms that all forms of detention under the Palestinian Law are
the mandate of judicial warranty bodies, represented by the civil police,
working under instruction and supervision of the Attorney-General.

3) Calls for the immediate release of all political detainees held by
security services in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.