Imprisoned For Mobilizing Nonviolent Resistance

Imprisoned For Mobilizing Nonviolent Resistance

[Budrus, RAMALLAH] , Na’im Ahmed Hussein Morrar, from the village of Budrus was sentenced to 4 months of Administrative Detention at a military court proceeding held at the Ofer Military Base in Ramallah. Na’im was abducted from his home along with his brother, Ayed Ahmed Hussein Morrar in the early morning hours of 15 January 2004 for their role in organizing the village’s nonviolent resistance against the destruction of their land and the erection of a wall that will turn their village into a ghetto.

In a letter to former MK Yossi Beilin, the Shabak (Israeli Secret Service) wrote that Ayed and Na’im were detained for organizing the actions against the “Security Fence.” In a surprising statement, the military judge, Adrian Agafi, stated: [Translated from Hebrew] “It’s impossible that the military commander will use his power to decide on Administration Detention of a person only because of actions of this kind” (taking part in demonstrations against the Wall). Nevertheless, Na’im was sentenced to 4 months of Administrative Detention based on “secret evidence” submitted by the Shabak.

There are hundreds of Palestinians locked up in Israeli jails or military camps*, held in Administrative Detention, where the detainee is imprisoned for renewable 6-month intervals without ever being charged or informed what the evidence against him/her is. On June 27, 2003 one of ISM’s coordinators, Omar Al-Titi was released from 6 months of Administrative Detention, detained in January 2003 for his role in organizing nonviolent resistance to the occupation of his homeland and Israel’s abuses of Palestinian human rights.

Like Omar, Na’im is being held solely for his role in mobilizing the people of Budrus to nonviolently resist. Na’im, having worked for almost 10 years as a community mediator is loved and well trusted by the people of Budrus and surrounding villages, and thus was able to effectively mobilize them. Because of his respected status, prior to his arrest, the Civil Administration of the Israeli Military in the region (Ramallah DCO) used Na’im as a point person, to transfer information from the military to Budrus villagers. He was even called on to inform his fellow villagers that their land was to be destroyed for the path of the Wall. The Israeli military did not expect that the village of Budrus would rise up and pose a nonviolent obstacle to their plans. This is the danger that Na’im poses and why the Israeli military need to keep him locked up until the Wall around Budrus is com

Adv. Yael Barda will try to appeal this decision in the Ofer Military Court on Sunday, February 1. Please help us defend the right of Palestinians to protest in defense of their land. Call and protest Na’im’s imprisonment!

Ramallah DCO: +972-2-997-0284/5

And write to:

Israeli Defense Minister

Shaul Mofaz

Fax: 011-972-3-6916940, or 011-972-3-6976990

E-mail: sar@mod.gov.il

Meir Sheetrit, Minister of Justice Ministry of Justice, 29 Saleh al-Din Street Jerusalem, 91010 Fax: +972 2 628 8618 E-Mail: sar@justice.gov.il

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