Issa Amro acquitted
On 7 April 2021, the Magistrate's Court of Hebron dropped the charges against human rights defender Issa Amro.
On 22 March 2021, the Military Court of Offer sentenced human rights defender Issa Amro to a three month suspended sentence with a two-year probation period, and a fine of 3500 NIS (approximately 900 Euros). He faces possible imprisonment if he is found to be participating in peaceful demonstrations during the probation period.
On 26 January 2021, the Military Court of Ofer convicted human rights defender Issa Amro on six charges: three counts of 'participation in demonstrations without a permit', two counts of 'obstructing security forces', and one count of 'assault’ for allegedly pushing a settlement guard.
On 10 August 2019, several human rights defenders were arbitrarily arrested and ill-treated in Hebron, including Issa Amro, who was arbitrarily arrested when he passed checkpoint 56 on his way home.
Issa Amro is a human rights defender and founding member of many non-violent organisations in Hebron who work peacefully to protect the human rights violated by the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Amongst these organisations are the Hebron branch of the Arab Non-Violence Network, Youth Against Settlements and the Hebron Defenders.
On 7 April 2021, the Magistrate's Court of Hebron dropped the charges against human rights defender Issa Amro.
On 7 September 2017, the Public Prosecution charged Issa Amro with ‘inciting strife’ and ‘publishing material that endangers the integrity of the public order of the state’. The charges were brought against him in relation to a Facebook post, in which he criticized the arrest of a journalist in the West Bank by the Palestinian authorities.
On 22 March 2021, the Military Court of Offer sentenced human rights defender Issa Amro to a three month suspended sentence with a two-year probation period, and a fine of 3500 NIS (approximately 900 Euros). He faces possible imprisonment if he is found to be participating in peaceful demonstrations during the probation period.
Issa Amro was convicted of six charges: three counts of 'participation in demonstrations without a permit', two counts of 'obstructing security forces', and one count of 'assault’ for allegedly pushing a settlement guard.
On 26 January 2021, the Military Court of Ofer convicted human rights defender Issa Amro on six charges: three counts of 'participation in demonstrations without a permit', two counts of 'obstructing security forces', and one count of 'assault’ for allegedly pushing a settlement guard.
On 8 February 2021, the Public Prosecutor requested that the court issue a suspended sentence for each of the offences that Issa Amro was convicted and that he be issued a fine, although he did not specify for which charge. The judge has yet to pass sentence.
On 10 August 2019, several human rights defenders were arbitrarily arrested and ill-treated in Hebron, including Issa Amro, who was arbitrarily arrested when he passed checkpoint 56 on his way home.
Issa Amro is a human rights defender and founding member of many non-violent organisations in Hebron who work peacefully to protect the human rights violated by the Israeli occupation of the West Bank. Amongst these organisations are the Hebron branch of the Arab Non-Violence Network, Youth Against Settlements and the Hebron Defenders.
In the afternoon of 10 August 2019, Issa Amro passed through checkpoint 56 on his way home. The checkpoint leads to Al-Shuhada street and separates the part of the city governed by the Palestinian Authority from the Israeli-controlled area. Palestinians can only access Al-Shuhada street under certain conditions. Issa Amro has a permit to use the street as he lives in the area. At the checkpoint, he was questioned by several Israeli soldiers before an army commander ordered his arrest. Issa Amro was violently handcuffed and beaten by the Israeli soldiers, forcefully dragged into a military jeep, and blindfolded. He was then brought to the military base of Al-Shuhada street. On the way there, soldiers took pictures of him. Issa Amro was suffering from a previous injury which was affected by the violent treatment during the arrest. Since he was in need of medical attention, a paramedic was called. Even though the paramedic referred him to a doctor, no doctor was called. After two hours in detention, Issa Amro was brought back to the checkpoint 56 where he was left blindfolded and handcuffed on the street. He did not receive any justification for the reasons behind his arrest.
Issa Amro has been arrested several times in the past and faces judicial harassment in relation to his human rights work. He currently faces 16 charges, including “participating in a march without a permit”, “assaulting a soldier”, and “incitement” before the Israeli Military Court. The next hearing is scheduled for 22 September 2019. He furthermore faces three charges in front the Palestinian Criminal Court, the next hearing will be held on 11 September 2019.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned at the continued harassment of human rights defenders in Hebron by Israeli military forces, which occurs within the context of a tense situation in the area of Al Shuhada street. Front Line Defenders condemns the arbitrary arrest and ongoing judicial harassment of human rights defender Issa Amro, as it believes that it is solely motivated by his peaceful and legitimate work in the defence of human rights.
