arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

7.7.02: B'Tselem Fears Field Researcher Detained because of Human Rights Work
Khaidar Ghanem in the Custody of the Palestinian Preventative Security in Gaza
Information given to B'Tselem in the past few hours reveals that the Palestinian Preventative Security apparatus in the Gaza Strip is accusing Khaidar Ghanem, B'Tselem field researcher in the Rafah area, of collaborating with Israel.

An individual who met Ghanem shortly after his arrest, reported that Ghanem said he had been arrested because of his work at B'Tselem.

As a field researcher with B'Tselem, Ghanem collects testimonies from Palestinian residents in the Rafah area in the Gaza Strip. In the course of his work, Ghanem also uncovers information that may cause discomfort to the Palestinian Authority.

B'Tselem is deeply concerned that Ghanem was arrested because of his work with the organization. B'Tselem also fears that the purpose of his arrest is to deter human rights workers from carrying out their work honestly and with the intention of uncovering the truth. B'Tselem is concerned that torture is being used in Ghanem's interrogation.

B'Tselem utterly rejects any accusation that Ghanem is a collaborator and demands the Palestinian Authority prove these claims by presenting evidence that meets internationally accepted legal standards. B'Tselem notes that Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel are often sentenced to death by the Palestinian State Security Court in "kangaroo" trials, which violate the fundamental principles of due process.

B'Tselem reiterates its demand that the Palestinian Authority allow Ghanem to meet with his lawyer and with representatives from B'Tselem.

Background:

Khaidar Ghanem, age 39, married and father of two, is a resident of Rafah in the Gaza Strip and has been B'Tselem's field researcher in the area for the past ten months. Ghanem was previously employed as a journalist.

Last Thursday morning, Ghanem's wife called B'Tselem to report that her husband had not returned home since the day before and she did not know where
Khaidar Ghanem

he was. B'Tselem's inquiry revealed that Ghanem was not in the custody of Israeli security forces. Attempts to obtain information from Palestinian official sources did not yield any results.

On Thursday evening, B'Tselem received a call from an individual who reported seeing Ghanem at the Palestinian Preventative Security facilities. Ghanem told him that he had been arrested because of his work at B'Tselem. Further information given to B'Tselem reveals that Ghanem is currently being interrogated at the Palestinian Preventative Security facility in Gaza, on the claim of collaboration with Israel.