Detention Bill

21/10/2006

The “Criminal Law Procedures Bill (Powers of Implementation – Special Directives for Investigating Security Violations Perpetrated by Non-Residents)” proposed harsher criminal procedure laws for individuals suspected of security offenses based solely on their national belonging. The bill would create a two-track criminal procedure law governing investigation, interrogation and detention, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians. Under the bill, for example, “non-Israeli residents” can be investigated continuously for 96 hours without being brought before a judge, instead of the 48 hours allowed under Israeli criminal procedure law, and, unlike Israeli detention law, detentions can be extended without the detainee appearing before a court under the bill. The bill as a whole is unconstitutional, violates international human rights law, and increases the possibility of detained individuals being tortured and interrogated by force to unjustly expedite an indictment.

Note: De-activated because I added all the links to this: http://www.adalah.org/eng/?mod=db&dld_page=law&slg=criminal-procedure-law-suspects-of-security-offenses-temporary-order-amendment-no-2

Proposed harsher detention law for Palestinians

The “Criminal Law Procedures Bill (Powers of Implementation – Special Directives for Investigating Security Violations Perpetrated by Non-Residents)” proposed harsher criminal procedure laws for individuals suspected of security offenses based solely on their national belonging. The bill would create a two-track criminal procedure law governing investigation, interrogation and detention, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians. Under the bill, for example, “non-Israeli residents” can be investigated continuously for 96 hours without being brought before a judge, instead of the 48 hours allowed under Israeli criminal procedure law, and, unlike Israeli detention law, detentions can be extended without the detainee appearing before a court under the bill. The bill as a whole is unconstitutional, violates international human rights law, and increases the possibility of detained individuals being tortured and interrogated by force to unjustly expedite an indictment.

Adalah to PM Sharon: Bill Imposing Harsher Investigation, Interrogation and Detention Laws on Palestinians Based Solely on their Nationality Must be Cancelled - 19 October 2005

Proposed Criminal Procedure (Enforcement Powers – Detention) (Non-Resident Detainee Suspected of Security Offense) (Temporary Provision) Law, 2005 and Explanatory Notes

Criminal Procedure (Enforcement Powers – Detention) Law, 1996

Letter from Human Rights Watch to the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee - on Electronic Intifada - 15 March 2006

Open Letter by the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) to the Israeli Authorities - 4 November 2005

International Commission of Jurists Press Release: Draft Law Legitimizes Incommunicado Detention - 2 November 2005

Intervention by Al-Haq and Addameer to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights - 1 November 2005

Palestinian Centre for Human Rights Press Release: 96 Hours for Torture - 11 October 2005

Front photo used courtesy of ActiveStills.