Just International

Tell Trump and Putin: Negotiate, Don’t Escalate

What happens during the announced meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in a few days, at the G-20 summit in Germany, could determine the fate of the Earth.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists continues to warn the world that the hands of the risk-estimate “Doomsday Clock” have moved even closer to catastrophic midnight. The dangers of global nuclear holocaust are increasing — and a major factor is the rise of tensions between the United States and Russia.

So, profoundly, this is not about Trump or Putin. This is about whether relations between the two nuclear-weapons superpowers will continue to spin out, worsening the risks of military confrontation. This is about whether the young people we love — and so many others around the world — will have a future. And whether subsequent generations will even exist.

If you want to express support for seeking détente instead of boosting U.S.-Russian tensions, please click here to sign a petition with a vital message for Trump and Putin.

To: President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump
We vehemently urge you to take a constructive approach to your planned meeting at the G-20 summit. Whatever our differences, we must reduce rather than increase the risks of nuclear war. The future of humanity is at stake.

To read about the “Doomsday Clock,” please click on a Background link at the bottom of this email.

After signing the petition, please use the tools on the next webpage to share it with your friends.

— The RootsAction.org Team

P.S. RootsAction is an independent online force endorsed by Jim Hightower, Barbara Ehrenreich, Cornel West, Daniel Ellsberg, Glenn Greenwald, Naomi Klein, Bill Fletcher Jr., Laura Flanders, former U.S. Senator James Abourezk, Frances Fox Piven, Lila Garrett, Phil Donahue, Sonali Kolhatkar, and many others.

Sign up here.

REPORT ON THE INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF THE MALAYSIAN CHAPTER OF THE NETWORK IN DEFENCE OF HUMANITY

The Inauguration Ceremony of the Malaysian Chapter of the Network of Artists and Intellectuals in Defence of Humanity, was held on the 25th May 2017, 11.00am at the Embassy of Cuba in Kuala Lumpur. A humble group of Intellectuals, diplomatic officials, and members of civil society were invited to attend the ceremony.

The Ceremony was opened by the Ambassador of Cuba to Malaysia, Ambassador Ibete, who gave an overview of what the Defence of Humanity is all about and its role. Dr. Chandra Muzaffar highlighted in his speech the significance of a network of this sort at this juncture of history in addressing global injustices and the importance of courage and dedication in making the Network grow. A screening of Fidel Castro’s 1979 address to the UN with its emphasis upon the challenges facing humankind was shown and was well received by everyone.

Lunch was served by the Cuban Embassy. With the event coming to a close, the Malaysian Chapter of the Network of Artists and Intellectuals in Defence of Humanity was officially established.

The Network in Defence of Humanity is a movement of thought and action against all forms of domination. It responds to the need to comply with the mandate of the Plenary Assembly of the World Meeting of Intellectuals and Artists in Defence of Humanity held in Caracas on December 6, 2004, attended by representatives of fifty- two countries and diverse cultures.

The Network main topics are as follows:

• in defense of our planet for everyone
• in defense of peoples’ integration
• in defense of an economy of emancipation and solidarity
• in defense of sovereignty and international legality
• in defense of unity in diversity and culture for all
• in defense of knowledge for all
• in defense of popular participation
• in defense of the truth and plurality information
• in defense of memory
• in defense of peace
Report prepared by JUST’s Programme Coordinator, Hassanal Noor Rashid.

27 May 2017

Stop U.S. from Selling More Weapons to Saudi Arabia

Millions of people in Yemen are on the edge of starvation. Cholera is spreading. Bitter and violent resentment of those responsible: the Saudi and U.S. governments is boiling up. Yet Donald Trump proposes to go right on selling Saudi Arabia the weapons with which to continue the war that has created and is maintaining the crisis.

Yes, the United States is slaughtering civilians by the thousands in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and elsewhere, and there is something ridiculously hypocritical about professing standards that prevent selling weapons to a government that uses them to kill civilians. No, there is no proper moral way to conduct the campaigns of mass-murder known as wars, so that worthy recipients of war weapons can be distinguished from Saudi Arabia and other unworthy ones. But when we have a chance to alleviate great suffering, we must act on it immediately.

We have that chance. After May 26, U.S. Congress Members and Senators will be home for a week, where they should hear from their constituents in person. In June they will have to vote one way or the other on whether to go on selling war weapons to Saudi Arabia. We will deliver this petition to them.

Please sign it.

Please also, if you are from the U.S., phone your Representative and your two Senators at 1-(202) 224-3121.

Messages of friendship from the people of the United States to the people of Russia

To the people of Russia:

We residents of the United States wish you, our brothers and sisters in Russia, nothing but well. We oppose the hostility and militarism of our government. We favor disarmament and peaceful cooperation. We desire greater friendship and cultural exchange between us. You should not believe everything you hear from the American corporate media. It is not a true representation of Americans. While we do not control any major media outlets, we are numerous. We oppose wars, sanctions, threats, and insults. We send you greetings of solidarity, trust, love, and hope for collaboration on building a better world safe from the dangers of nuclear, military, and environmental destruction.

Please sign the following petition, and add your own comment.

THE DETENTION OF OMAR BARGHOUTI.

The International Movement for a Just World (JUST) is deeply disturbed by the detention of Omar Barghouti by the Israeli authorities on Sunday 19th March 2017.
Barghouti who lives in the coastal city of Akka in present-day Israel is the co-founder of the global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement which has been targeting Israel for its occupation of Palestinian land and for the injustices it continues to perpetrate against the Palestinian people. The BDS movement is beginning to have a significant impact upon citizens in various parts of the world, especially in Western Europe.
The Israeli authorities are arguing that Barghouti is being detained for tax evasion on earnings amounting to USD 700,000. The BDS National Committee has accused the Israeli government  of ” fabricating  a case” against the well-known and well respected activist. Some independent observers concur.
It is a fact that Barghouti has been subjected to all sorts of threats in the past by  Israeli leaders. In 2016 he was slapped with a travel ban. The Israel government has pressured  foreign governments and legislatures to restrict BDS activities in their countries and Israeli intelligence services have conducted ” black operations” against the movement.
As one of the leaders of the BDS movement, Barghouti has been an effective spokesperson for the Palestinian cause. His lucidly articulated views are listened to avidly even by those who are not sympathetic to the Palestinian struggle. This is why he has been made to pay the price.
JUST demands that Barghouti be released immediately and unconditionally. Israel cannot claim to be a democracy and yet detain peaceful dissidents with a proven commitment to democratic values and principles.  When Israel punishes people like Barghouti it exposes yet  again its true character — that it is an unscrupulous State without an iota of conscience.
Dr. Chandra Muzaffar,
President,
International Movement for a Just World (JUST).
Malaysia.
25 March 2017.

Palestinian human rights defender, Issa Amro, is facing 18 politically-motivated charges in Israeli military courts.

Palestinian human rights defender, Issa Amro, is facing 18 politically-motivated charges in Israeli military courts.

As Israel ramps up its repressive campaign against Palestinians, human rights defenders–those documenting, speaking, and organizing against Israel’s oppressive policies–are one of its first targets. And Issa Amro, community leader and co-founder of the Hebron-based Youth Against Settlements, is no stranger to being a target of Israeli efforts to silence his activism.

Palestinians face a conviction rate of 99.74% in Israeli military courts, which is why we, and our member groups at Codepink, Jewish Voice for Peace, Interfaith Peace Builders, and others, are petitioning United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein to pressure Israel to drop the charges against Issa.

Under Israeli military occupation, Palestinians are forbidden from partaking in almost every form of political expression. The ridiculous charges against Issa range from “insulting a soldier” to “gathering without permission.” They reek of political persecution as clear as day.

The work of Issa and Youth Against Settlements has been internationally recognized, and more importantly, it is incredibly effective in fostering and building Palestinian community and resistance in Hebron, a place where Israeli apartheid, oppression, and occupation is often at its worst and most violent. Israel wants to lock up Issa because he is a powerful community leader and organizer against Israeli apartheid, and therefore a threat to the Israeli status quo.

Help keep Issa free and able to do his incredible work. After you have signed the petition, share it on Facebook & Twitter so we can get as many signatures as possible before the official start of his trial on March 26!

Thank you for taking action to help one more Palestinian voice for freedom, justice, and equality!

Please sign up here.

 

Sincerely,

 

TAMAR GHABIN

Government Affairs Associate

P.S.–Israel is once again targeting Omar Barghouti, another Palestinian human rights defender, and co-founder of the global boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement.

 

New Video: A Call for Justice for Mohammed al-Qeeq: Fayha Shalash Urges Action

A new video by Fayha Shalash, Palestinian journalist and the wife of imprisoned hunger striker and journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq, urges international action for his release. We urge all supporters of Palestinian freedom, liberation and justice to share this video widely, as al-Qeeq enters his 24th day of hunger strike demanding release from imprisonment without charge or trial under Israeli administrative detention.

https://youtu.be/2ea0nKEhxKI

Mohammed al-Qeeq is one of 23 Palestinian journalists imprisoned by the Israeli state. His life and health are on the line not only for his freedom, but for Palestinian freedom overall and an end to administrative detention without charge or trial. It is critical to raise our voices internationally and demand freedom for Mohammed al-Qeeq, an end to administrative detention and the freedom of all Palestinian prisoners.

Take Action!

1. Sign and share the public petition to international officials to demand they take a stand on administrative detention and Mohammed al-Qeeq’s imprisonment. Sign and share at: https://www.change.org/p/council-of-the-european-union-take-action-to-free-hunger-striking-palestinian-journalist-mohammed-al-qeeq

2. Organize a protest or a forum for Mohammed al-Qeeq and Palestinian prisoners. Israeli Apartheid Week is approaching and the Israeli injustice system is an excellent example to highlight in IAW activities, especially as your support can help to bring the international attention needed to help Mohammed al-Qeeq in his struggle for freedom. You can invite a speaker, hold a discussion, hold a protest, or just distribute leaflets and information (see below for sample leaflets and posters). To request resources or let us know about your event so we can post it publicly, email samidoun@samidoun.net or contact us on Facebook.

3. Hold a Symbolic Hunger Strike. This is an especially effective tactic on a campus for Israeli Apartheid Week, but can be used anywhere. A symbolic one-day hunger strike in which participants publicly express their solidarity with al-Qeeq and fellow Palestinian prisoners can help to raise local attention. Email samidoun@samidoun.net to let us know about your event!

Declaration of the Member States of OPANAL on the 50th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco)

General Conference of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in

Latin America and the Caribbean
XXV Session
Mexico City, 14 February 2017

The States of Latin America and the Caribbean, all of them Parties to the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (Treaty of Tlatelolco), represented by their Ministers of Foreign Affairs, meeting on 14 February 2017 in Mexico City, in the XXV Session of the General Conference of the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL), on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the conclusion of the Treaty of Tlatelolco:

Conscious that Latin America and the Caribbean, then living in a complex political situation that clearly showed the need for military denuclearization, was able to create a treaty unprecedented for international peace and security, which would guarantee the absence of nuclear weapons in the region and the use of nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes, this is the case of research centres with, inter alia, medical and food components,

Proud of the historical responsibility of belonging to the “Zone of Peace”, proclaimed for the first time in Latin America and the Caribbean at the Second Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held in Havana, Cuba on 29 January 2014,

Recalling their decision to contribute to the consolidation of peace based on the sovereign equality of States, on mutual respect and good neighbourliness, on the peaceful settlement of disputes, on the non-use or threat of use of force, on the right of self-determination, on territorial integrity, and on the non-intervention in the internal affairs,

Reiterating that militarily denuclearized zones do not constitute an end in themselves, but rather a key intermediary step towards the realization of nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament under effective international control,

Reiterating their conviction that the establishment of militarily denuclearized zones is closely related to the maintenance of peace and security in the respective regions and that the military denuclearization of vast geographical zones, adopted by sovereign decision of the States comprised therein, will exercise a beneficial influence on other regions;

Recalling that the United Nations General Assembly, through Resolution A/RES/68/32, decided “to convene, no later than 2018, a United Nations high-level international conference on nuclear disarmament to review the progress made in this regard”,

Recalling also the commemoration of the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons on 26 September as part of the global efforts to achieve the common goal of a world free of nuclear weapons, and urging the governments, parliaments and civil society to take additional measures each year to commemorate this date;

Again emphasizing that nuclear weapons, whose terrible effects are suffered, indiscriminately and inexorably, by military forces and civilian population alike, constitute, through the persistence of the radioactivity they release, an attack on the integrity of the human species and ultimately, may even render the whole earth uninhabitable,

Similarly recalling the Conferences on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons held in Oslo in 2013, and in Nayarit and Vienna in 2014, which confirmed that nuclear weapons constitute a threat to humankind, by virtue of their mere existence, and by their possible use or threat of use, as well as by the potential damage that an accidental or intentional detonation could cause to global health, to food security, to climate, among other aspects, and by the lack of capacity of the international community to face a humanitarian crisis of such a magnitude,

Acknowledging also the efforts being pursued in the multilateral context in order to identify and seek effective measures, the adoption of which will be necessary to establish and maintain a world without nuclear weapons,

Reiterate that, although Nuclear Weapon States have the ultimate responsibility of eliminating their nuclear arsenals, it is the responsibility of all States to prevent the humanitarian impact and all related effects of nuclear weapons;

Reaffirming that the use and threat of use of nuclear weapons are a violation of the Charter of the United Nations, a violation of International Law, including International Humanitarian Law, and are a crime against humanity,

Also considering that the only effective guarantee against the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is their prohibition and elimination in a transparent, verifiable and irreversible manner, within clearly established timeframes,

Recalling that the United Nations General Assembly, at its first regular session, adopted its first resolution A/RES/1(I) on 24 January 1946, which mainly addresses the peaceful uses of atomic energy and the elimination of nuclear weapons as well as other weapons of mass destruction
Celebrating the adoption by the LXXI Session of the United Nations General Assembly of Resolution A/RES/71/258 which decides, inter alia, “to convene in 2017 a United Nations conference to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination”,

Highlighting the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, on 18 November 2016, that reads “Here in Tijuana, the most north-western municipality of all Latin America, begins the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone of Latin America and the Caribbean, which extends to the farthest southern extreme of the Continent. As established by the Treaty of Tlatelolco in 1967, within this 80-million square kilometre region there are no nuclear weapons nor will there ever be”,
The States Parties to the Treaty of Tlatelolco, all of them Members of OPANAL:

1. Reiterate their deep concern over the existence of nuclear weapons, as it continues to be an imminent threat to the peace and security of our planet; and therefore believe it is in the interest of all that under no circumstances nuclear weapons be used again;

2. Recall the role of OPANAL as the “specialized body in the region for articulating common positions and joint actions on nuclear disarmament”, which is stated in the special declarations on nuclear disarmament adopted by the Heads of State and Government at the Summits of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States – CELAC held in Cuba in 2014, in Costa Rica in 2015, and in Ecuador in 2016;

3. Reiterate, pending the achievement of nuclear disarmament, the legitimate interest of the non-nuclear-weapon States, among them all the States Members of OPANAL, to receive the unequivocal and legally binding guarantee of non-use or threat of use of nuclear weapons against them from the part of the nuclear-weapon-States; and also urge that efforts be made towards negotiating and adopting, within the shortest possible term, a universal and legally binding instrument on negative security assurances;

4. Call on Nuclear Weapon States that issued interpretative declarations to Additional Protocols I and II to the Treaty of Tlatelolco which are contrary to the spirit of the Treaty, to revise them in conjunction with OPANAL with the objective of reviewing or eliminating them in order to provide full and unequivocal security assurances to the States forming the Nuclear-Weapon-Free-Zone in Latin America and the Caribbean; and to respect the militarily denuclearized character of the region;

5. Emphasize that the Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones promote peace and stability at the regional and international levels by prohibiting the possession, acquisition, development, testing, manufacturing, production, stockpiling, deployment and use of nuclear weapons;

6. Stress that the Treaty of Tlatelolco, which created the first Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in a densely populated area, has served as a source of inspiration for four other regions in the world; and consider also that the Treaty and the Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) are an important endowment of the international community and a political, legal and institutional reference for the creation of other nuclear-weapon-free zones, on the basis of freely agreements arrived at by the States of the concerned region;

7. Regret the failure to fulfil the agreement to celebrate the 2012 International Conference on the establishment of a zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East and reiterate that the convening of the Conference is an integral and important part of the Final Document of the 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)1; and therefore call for the convening of this Conference as soon as possible, with the participation of all States in the Middle East, on the basis of freely concluded agreements between the States of the concerned region and with the full support and commitment of the nuclear-weapon States;

8. Regret the continued failure of nuclear weapon States to comply with Article VI of the NPT and with the commitments emanating from the NPT Review Conferences; and regret also that the 2015 Review Conference of the States Parties to the NPT concluded without the adoption of a final document;

9. Condemn the modernization of existing nuclear weapons and the development of new types of such weapons, which is inconsistent with the obligation to adopt effective measures towards nuclear disarmament; and, in this regard, demand the cessation by nuclear-weapon States of the development and qualitative improvement of nuclear weapons, their delivery systems, as well as related infrastructures;

10. Welcome the commemoration, in July 2016, of the 25th Anniversary of the signing of the agreements through which Argentina and Brazil confirmed their unequivocal commitment to the use of nuclear energy for strictly peaceful purposes and thereby creating the Brazilian-Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials (ABACC); and therefore highlight that the successful Argentine-Brazilian experience and ABACC have been recognised internationally and that they constitute an example and source of inspiration for other regions around the world, particularly for those where nuclear-weapon-free zones do not yet exist;

11. Stress the importance of cooperation among the States Party to the Treaties of Rarotonga, Bangkok, Pelindaba and Central Asia, which established nuclear-weapon-free zones and Mongolia;

12.Stress once more that a world free of nuclear weapons is fundamental for the fulfilment of the principal aims of Humankind, namely, peace, security and development; and therefore consider that the immediate action must be that all Member States of the United Nations actively participate in the United Nations conference to negotiate a legally binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, leading towards their total elimination, convened by United Nations General Assembly Resolution A/RES/71/258

1 Doc. NPT/CONF.2010/50 (Vol.I), Part I, page 30, paragraph 7(a).

 

http://worldbeyondwar.org/declaration-member-states-opanal-50th-anniversary-conclusion-treaty-prohibition-nuclear-weapons-latin-america-caribbean-treaty-tlatelolco/

Open Letter to President-elect Trump: Negotiate Nuclear Zero

In just one week, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 45th President of the United States. Please join Noam Chomsky, Daniel Ellsberg, Setsuko Thurlow, Oliver Stone, and many others in signing our Open Letter to President-elect Trump, calling on him “to choose the course of negotiations for a nuclear weapons-free world.”

The Open Letter advises Trump of the U.S. obligation under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to negotiate in good faith for an end to the nuclear arms race and for nuclear disarmament. It explains that nuclear deterrence is based upon on the willingness of political leaders to act rationally under all circumstances, even those of extreme stress. It goes on to say that nuclear proliferation and a renewed nuclear arms race would both make for a far more dangerous world.

As President-elect Trump prepares to take office, let’s send him a strong messagetrump-victory-speech that nuclear disarmament must be on the agenda.

 

Urgent call to free Nael Barghouthi, longest-held Palestinian prisoner

Sign and share the petition: https://www.change.org/p/international-officials-pressure-israel-to-free-nael-barghouthi 

Palestinian prisoner Nael Barghouthi, 59 has been imprisoned for 36 years in Israeli jails, and he is the longest-held Palestinian political prisoner. Today, on the basis of so-called “secret evidence,” he is threatened with the re-imposition of life imprisonment with no charges and no legitimate trial.

Along with over 1,000 fellow prisoners, he was released in 2011 as part of the Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange. While he married after his release and returned to his life, in 2014, he was swept up with other former prisoners in a series of arrests. Under Israeli military order 1651 – violating the release agreement – re-arrested prisoners can have their former sentences reimposed upon them by a military committee on the basis of secret evidence. This secret evidence is denied to both the prisoner and their lawyer.

Sign and share the petition: https://www.change.org/p/international-officials-pressure-israel-to-free-nael-barghouthi

Even with this secret evidence, Nael Barghouthi was ordered to 30 months in prison, a sentence that ended in mid-December. He has remained in prison due to an appeal by the military prosecution, seeking the re-imposition of a life sentence on the basis of so-called secret evidence. Barghouthi continues to be denied visits from his wife, Iman Nafie, as she is also a former political prisoner in Israeli jails.

The next hearing in his case will take place on 3 January and his case will continue to the highest levels. Iman Nafie has pledged to pursue this case in all legal venues to demand freedom for her husband.

Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association and Samidoun Palestinian Prisoner Solidarity Network are joining in this urgent call for action to pressure Israel to release Nael Barghouthi, being held as a political hostage by the Israeli government.

TAKE ACTION:

Sign and share the Change.org petition to urge international officials to take action for Nael Barghouthi’s release: https://www.change.org/p/international-officials-pressure-israel-to-free-nael-barghouthi
Organize a protest, demonstration, speaking event or banner drop in your city, community or campus calling for freedom for Nael Barghouthi and his fellow Palestinian prisoners.

Come out in New York City! Join the protest to free Nael Barghouthi.
Friday, January 27, 5:30 pm. Best Buy Union Square, 52 E. 14th St, NYC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/580702052134943/

Send your own protest details to: samidoun@samidoun.net, or get involved with our NYC action!

Write to Israeli officials to demand Nael Barghouthi’s release. Write a message and email or fax it to the officials below. Contact information and sample letter follow:
Contact information:

Minister of Defence
Avigdor Liberman
Ministry of Defence
37 Kaplan Street
Hakirya
Tel Aviv 61909, Israel
Fax: +972 73 323 3300
Email: minister@mod.gov.il
Salutation: Dear Minister

Minister of Justice
Ayelet Shaked
Ministry of Justice
29 Salah al-Din Street
Jerusalem, 91010, Israel
Fax: +972 2 640 8402
Email: sar@justice.gov.il
Salutation: Dear Ministe

Attorney General
Avichai Mendelbilt
Ministry of Justice
29 Salah al-Din Street
Jerusalem 91010, Israel
Fax: +972 2 530 3367
Email: ishkat-yoetz@justice.gov.il

Military Judge Advocate General
Brigadier General Sharon Afek
Hakirya, Tel Aviv, Israel
Fax: +972 3 569 4526
Email: Mag@idf.gov.il
Salutation: Dear Judge Advocate General

Commander of the IOF – West Bank
Major-General Roni Numa
GOC Central Command
Military Post 01149, Battalion 877
Israel Defense Forces, Israel
Fax: +972 2 530 5741, +972 2 530 5724
Salutation: Dear Major-General Roni Numa

Minister of Public Security Gilad Erdan
Kiryat Hamemshala
PO Box 18182
Jerusalem 91181, Israel
Fax: +972 2 584 7872
Email: gerdan@knesset.gov.il
Salutation: Dear Minister

Sample Letter:

Dear Ministers,

I write today to demand immediate release of the longest-held Palestinian prisoner Nael Barghouthi, held for a total of 36 years in Israeli prisons. Nael Barghouthi is being threatened with the re-imposition of his life sentence on the basis of so-called “secret evidence” by an arbitrary Israeli military committee.

Nael Barghouthi was released with over 1,000 prisoners in the 2011 Wafa al-Ahrar prisoner exchange. In 2014, along with dozens of fellow released prisoners, Barghouthi was re-arrested. Under Israeli military order 1651 – that contravenes the term of the prisoner release – re-arrested prisoners can have their former sentences reimposed upon them by a military committee on the basis of secret evidence.

Barghouthi was originally sentenced to 30 months on the basis of secret evidence, yet the Israeli military continues to pursue him and seek the re-imposition of his life sentence. He has also been denied family visits with his wife on the pretext of “security” as she is a former prisoner.

I demand the immediate release of Nael Barghouthi and an end to the re-imposition of former prisoners’ sentences on the basis of so-called secret information. This is an attempt to use Palestinian former prisoners as political hostages in future prisoner exchanges and to violate the exchange agreement itself. His continued detention is arbitrary and unjust, and I demand his immediate freedom.

Sincerely,

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