On Monday 17 July Ramallah’s Central Military Court will hold the first hearing in the trial of a Palestinian police officer accused of physically and verbally abusing a human rights worker.
During the incident on 26 October 2016, human rights researcher Ashira Ramadan says that she was violently grabbed by a policewoman who dragged her inside the Markaz al-Mabaheth police station in Ramallah and verbally assaulted her for being a human rights activist, before punching her in the neck and then repeatedly slamming her body against a wall.
She was received hospital treatment for injuries sustained to her shoulder and neck, and filed a legal complaint regarding the assault with the military prosecutor in November 2016.
“It’s encouraging to see that the Palestinian authorities appear to be treating this complaint seriously. We hope that this case will send a clear message to Palestinian security forces that they are not above the law and will be held accountable for violations,” said Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International.
“Palestinian security forces have an appalling track record of using excessive force against peaceful protesters, journalists and activists. Human rights defenders in Palestine regularly face harassment and intimidation, including arbitrary detention.”
Palestinian security forces have an appalling track record of using excessive force against peaceful protesters, journalists and activists.
Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International
Ashira Ramadan was working as a research assistant at Human Rights Watch at the time the incident took place. She is currently a researcher on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories for Amnesty International.
The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10.30am at the Central Military Court, Um al-Sharayet, al-Ameen Square, Ramallah.