Administrative Detention and Enforced Disappearance in a
Legal Interactive Seminar organized by (Witness) in Beirut
The Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness) held
a legal seminar entitled: "A Legal Analysis of Administrative Detention and
Enforced Disappearance Amidst War” on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at the Al Saha
Hotel in Beirut.
The three hours long seminar was divided into two sessions
that included presentation of papers, interventions, and discussions on the
current situation of Palestinian prisoners of war and detained amidst the
ongoing war on Gaza, with an elite participation of academics and specialists in
human rights and legal affairs, in addition to human rights’ activists and
representatives of universities, non-governmental organizations, the Arab
Lawyers Union, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Mr. Muhammad Al-Shuli, the Public Relations and Media
Officer at the Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness), held the
opening of the seminar presenting the general overview of the situation of
prisoners and detainees. This was followed by a speech by the Secretary-General
of the Arab Lawyers Union - Cairo, presented by the Assistant Secretary-General
of the Union in Lebanon, Mr. Abdel Moein Ghazi, stressing the significant role of
the Union in defending Palestinian prisoners.
The seminar was moderated by Mr. Khaled Fahd, a researcher
and specialist in prisoners’ affairs.
The first session comprised three papers, the first was by
the Director of the Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights -
Ramallah, Mr. Hilmi Al-Araj, during which he presented a briefing on the
reality of prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Then the Director of Al- Khiam Center against Torture -
Lebanon, Mr. Muhammad Safa, presented a paper on the role of human rights
organizations in defending the rights of prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Then, the representative of the International Committee of
the Red Cross Ms. Agnieszka Kurkiewicz, Deputy Protection Coordinator for Detention,
presented an intervention on prisoners of war and the role of the International
Committee of the Red Cross in this regard.
After the conclusion of discussions on the submitted papers,
the interventions resumed during the second session of the seminar. During
which Dr. Ahlam Baydoun presented her paper on examining the legal choices
available to defend Palestinian prisoners.
The last paper was presented by the international lawyer,
Mr. Khaled Al-Shouli on the question of Palestinian prisoners in the
international arena.
Closing, the final recommendations of the seminar developed
through the dialogue, were presented. These
recommendations are to be used in advocacy efforts focused on protecting the
rights of Palestinian prisoners.
The Palestinian Association for Human Rights (Witness)
Beirut, 4/25/2024