To all of the friends and supporters of Hussam Shaheen
A Palestinian political prisoner
The International Secretary of Fateh Youth Organization
The Leader of Fateh Youth Organization in Jerusalem


Hussam is a young Palestinian political activist from Jerusalem. He is the International Secretary of Fateh Youth Organization and the leader of Fatah Youth in Jerusalem. Under his leadership are thousands of young Palestinian men and women between the ages of 16 and 35 who are struggling for human rights, freedom, and a just peace between Israel and Palestine. On 28th January 2004 the Israeli occupation forces arrested Hussam in Ramallah. Since his arrest, Hussam has been subjected torture. Hussam is being held in Beir Saba prison and is being subjected to the most appalling conditions including isolation, abuse, poor nutrition, and lack of ventilation in the cells.

Since the time of his arrest, Hussam’s family has been struggling to obtain a permit from the International Committee of the Red Cross that would allow them to visit Hussam in prison. For a long time, the Israeli government refused to grant his family their one wish - the wish to visit Hussam. Such a refusal has caused immense sadness and suffering among his family members, to the point where his father suffered from a series of heart attacks.

Through persistence and dedication to make their dream come true, Hussam’s mother finally received permission to visit her son. But it was not an easy journey for this elderly woman. She started her journey at 4:30am and traveled on a Red Cross bus with other relatives of political prisoners who were going to visit their sons and daughters in the Beir Saba prison. After waiting all day for the chance to spend a precious half hour with her son, Hussam’s mother finally saw him at 5:00pm. She was able to return home by midnight.

The relatives of Palestinian political prisoners suffer a great deal when they want to visit their family members in prison. They must submit to complicated and humiliating personal searches, spend hours waiting in inadequate facilities that are exposed to the hot weather in the summer and cold rain in the winter, and there are no toilet facilities. In the visiting rooms the conditions are extremely harsh – the prisoners and there families are separated by great distances so they cannot see each other clearly.

Both Hussam and his mother were so happy for the chance to visit with each other. Hussam sends his best regards to all of his friends and supporters who stand in solidarity with him. His court date has been set for 2 January 2006.

To follow Hussam’s case, please visit the following website: http://www.hussamkhader.org/english/internal_eng/shaheen.htm.
 

Thank you for your support and solidarity!

Nasim Shaheen

Hussam’s Sister
Human Rights Activist
E-Mail: nashaheenzah@yahoo.com
Mobile: +972-599-873-712