Marwan Barghouti transferred to Petah Tikva Detention Center by LAW 5:52pm Thu May 30 '02 This afternoon, Wednesday May 29, 2002, attorney Khader Shkirat, General Director of LAW, visited Barghouti and reported that he has been deprived of sleep and held in abusive position for prolonged hours. In the past 72 hours, Barghouti was only allowed to sleep for six hours. He is held in a cell which is not bigger than one and half square meters. print article 29 May 2002 On Sunday May 26, 2002, Israeli authorities transferred Marwan Barghouti, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council, who was arrested on April 13 in Ramallah, to the Petah Tikva Detention Center. This afternoon, Wednesday May 29, 2002, attorney Khader Shkirat, General Director of LAW, visited Barghouti and reported that he has been deprived of sleep and held in abusive position for prolonged hours. In the past 72 hours, Barghouti was only allowed to sleep for six hours. He is held in a cell which is not bigger than one and half square meters. Barghouti's hands and legs are shackled to a small chair, angled to slant forward so that he cannot sit in a stable position. This position abuse, also known as 'shabeh' is the most common method of physical abuse applied by the Israeli intelligence. Israeli authorities have extended Barghouti's custoday for another twenty- two days for interrogation. So far, Barghouti has spent 45 days in custody, including 42 days at the Russian Compound. From his prison cell, Barghouti sent a message of solidarity with the Palestinian people and saluted the people standing with him in their effort to release him and end the occupation. Since his arrest, Barghouti is held in solitary confinement and is deprived of sleep for prolonged hours since he was arrested. Like abusive body positioning, sleep deprivation is a common tactic used by the Israeli intelligence. Israel is a signatory to the key human rights covenants that address torture and ill-treatment, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (article 7) and the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Israel is therefore legally bound by these prohibitions. Israeli law prohibits torture and the introduction into evidence of tainted confessions and provides that public servants who use or direct the use of force against persons for the purpose of extorting a confession of an offense or information relating to an offense are liable to imprisonment. In light of the above, LAW calls for the immediate release of Marwan Barghouti and request immediate international intervention to safeguard him from further physical and psychological abuse. He is an elected member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and has parliamentary immunity. The methods applied by the the Israeli General Security Service during the interrogation of Barghouti constitute methods of torture and ill-treatment. For more information: +972-(0)54-787420 _____________________________ LAW - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy. LAW is affiliate to the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and the World Organisation Organisation Against Torture (OMCT). LAW - The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, PO Box 20873, Jerusalem, tel. +972-2-5833530, fax. +972-2- 5833317, email: law@lawsociety.org, web: www.lawsociety.org add your comments