[Ramallah, 15 December 2009] - On 26 November 2009, Mohammad Baran (UA 3/09) was issued with his sixth administrative detention order by an Israeli military commander in the West Bank, on the grounds that he 'endangers the security of the area.' This latest order was issued for a duration of three months, which was later reduced by the Israeli Administrative Detention Court to two months, on 2 December 2009.

At the review hearing of the latest order on 2 December 2009, neither Mohammad nor his lawyer, were allowed to see the evidence against him. Further, and at the request of the prosecution, part of the review hearing took place in the absence of Mohammad and his lawyer.

Mohammad's latest administrative detention order is now set to expire on 26 January 2010.

Mohammad has now been held for over 21 months without charge or trial, since 1 March 2008.

Please continue to send appeals on behalf of Mohammad Baran.

Administrative detention

Administrative detention is detention without charge or trial and is often based on 'secret evidence'. Israeli Military Order 1591 empowers military commanders to detain Palestinians, including children as young as 12, for up to six months if they have 'reasonable grounds to presume that the security of the area or public security require the detention'. The initial six month period can be extended by additional six-month periods indefinitely. This procedure denies the detainee the right to a fair trial and the ability to adequately challenge the basis of his or her detention.

There are currently at least 291 Palestinian men and women in administrative detention. For more information visit the DCI-Palestine website at Freedom Now.

To take action, please follow this link and write to your elected representatives and/or the Israeli authorities demanding an end to the practice of detaining children without charge or trial in administrative detention.