Israel: Release Ameer Makhoul

 Copenhagen – 7 May 2010: The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network (EMHRN) expresses its concerns with regard to the situation of Ameer Makhoul, General Director of Ittijah, who was arrested for “security reasons”, on the basis of Article 6 of the 1945 Emergency Regulations, 6 May 2010.

 

Following the arrest of M. Makhoul, the Israeli General Security Service and the Israeli police raided his home and confiscated some of his personal belongings including cell phones, while another police group raided the Ittijah offices and confiscated the computers and other materials.

 

The arrest follows an administrative order issued on April 22 by the Israeli Interior Minister, prohibiting M. Makhoul from leaving the country for a period of two months.

 

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network is concerned about this repressive policy which merely seems to be aimed at silencing civil society organisations and representatives working in favour of the rights and existence of the Palestinian people.

 

Furthermore, the arrest warrant and prohibition order, which are based on Emergency Regulations, are arbitrary political decisions issued by the Interior Minister and not courts, in contradiction to the spirit and the letter of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights.

 

A hearing of the case will take place today at 11:30am at the Petah Tikva Court.

 

Hence, the EMHRN calls upon the Israeli authorities to:

-          release Ameer Makhoul and to put an end to the proceedings against him in the absence of any valid reason for it;

-          cease using the Emergency (Defence) Regulations [EDR] – 1945 to close down NGOs without due process of law.

 

In sight of the hearing of Ameer Makhoul, the EMHRN strongly urges the European Union Delegation in Israel and embassies of European Union Member States to attend the hearing.