Press Statement

Date: 4th March 2015 (No. 4/2015)

ICHR denounces the decision of the Palestinian Police Agency prohibiting a visit to Enad Muhammad Khalil, a detainee in Ramallah Rehabilitation and Correction Center since 15/2/2015, on charges of attacking a policeman while on duty. ICHR has issued a position statement when that incident happened last February 25.

On 25 February 2015, ICHR addressed the Police Chief to allow its staff to visit the previously mentioned inmate, on the basis of receiving allegations from his relatives that he was subjected to beating and torture and to check on his health situation, but ICHR's staff did not receive any answer. So they continued contacting the Police Agency office to get permission once again on 26th of February, but they declined the request.

On 1st of March 2015, staff members of ICHR went to Ramallah Rehabilitation and Correction Center after they received a phone call from the Legal Advisor allowing them to make the visit. Despite this phone call, the administration of the Reformation and Rehabilitation Center did not allow the staff to enter. On the same day, the Commissioner General of ICHR called the Police Chief, Hazem Attallah, and received a promise from him that he would call him back and inform him about an arrangement for the visit. On the same day, ICHR sent a letter to the Police Chief office on the same regard. Since then, ICHR has called the Police Agency dozens of times but did not receive any answer.

Prohibiting ICHR from visiting inmate Enad Khalil despite its frequent attempts is considered a breach of its role as a national human rights institution including regular visits to detention centers to monitor violations committed against inmates including torture and ill- treatment, and to monitor their health and living conditions as well as their legal situation.

In light of the above said, ICHR demands that:

ICHR should be allowed to visit the mentioned inmate and make sure that he was not subjected to ill-treatment or torture.
Necessary legal measures of accountability should be taken in case he was subjected to beating, torture or ill-treatment.
His relatives should be allowed to visit him and check on his health condition.