Israeli soldiers arrested Ms. Hassan on December 12th at her home. She has not been charged for any crime, but has been ordered held for three months on administration detention.
February 18, 2020
Brigadier General Sharon Afek Hakirya
Military Judge Advocate General
Tel Aviv, Israel
Fax: +972 3 569 4526
Email: avi_n@idf.gov.il
Dear Judge Hakirya:
The Committee of Concerned Scientists is an independent organization of scientists, physicians, engineers and scholars devoted to the protection and advancement of human rights and scientific freedom for colleagues all over the world.
We write to express our concern for Shatha Hassan, the 20-year-old student council president at Birzeit University in the West Bank, who was arrested at her family home in Ramallah by Israeli soldiers on December 12th. She was subsequently referred to administrative detention for three months. As you know, this means that she is being held without charge or trial. As academics and scholars, we object to this violation of a student’s basic human rights. No one should be subjected to prolonged detention without being criminally charged.
As of December, it has been reported that there were over 20 Birzeit University students held in detention without charges. Earlier, in March 2019, we wrote about a similar situation with another student, also a student council president at Birzeit University. Omar Kiswani, was detained on the campus and held for almost a month before he was allowed to see an attorney.
All students should have the right to pursue their studies, and peacefully express their beliefs, without fear of harassment or arbitrary detention.
We urge you to have Shatha Hassan and the other students, currently held, either be charged with recognizable criminal offenses or be released.
Thank you for your attention to this serious matter, and we look forward to receiving your response.
Sincerely,
Joel L. Lebowitz, Paul H. Plotz, Walter Reich, Eugene M. Chudnovsky, Alexander Greer
Co-Chairs, Committee of Concerned Scientists
cc.:
President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister’s Office
3 Kaplan Street Hakirya
Jerusalem 91950 Israel
Fax: +972-2-566-4838
Email: pm_eng@pmo.gov.il
Ambassador Ron Dermer
Embassy of Israel
3514 International Drive, NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: 202.364.5500 | Fax: 1 202 364 5607
Email: info@washington.mfa.gov.il