Three boys have administrative detention orders renewed

[RAMALLAH, - Mohammad Balbol, Wa'ad Al Hidmy and Ahmed Mijermy all had their administrative detention orders renewed in the week commencing 24 November 2008. The three boys are currently being held by Israel without having been charged with any offence or having received the benefit of a fair trial. Mohammad, from Bethlehem, was 17 when he was arrested on 25 July 2008. He received his first administrative detention order on the same day, which was renewed for a second time on 24 November 2008. Mohammad is now expected to be detained until at least 24 May 2009. For further information about Mohammad's case, see Urgent Appeal UA 1/08. Ahmed Mijermy from Jenin, was 17 when he was arrested on 5 November 2007. He received his first administrative detention order on 30 March 2008, which was then renewed on 29 May and 31 August. On 30 November 2008, Ahmed received his fourth administrative detention order for six months. Ahmed is now expected to be detained until at least 30 May 2009. Wa'ad, from Hebron, was 16 when he was arrested on 28 April 2008. He received his first administrative detention order on 6 May 2008, which was renewed for a second time on 27 August. On 26 November Wa'ad's administrative detention order was renewed for a third time for a further four months. Wa'ad is now expected to be detained until at least 26 March 2009. Ahmed and Wa'ad are both being detained in Telmond prison, inside Israel, in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention which stipulates that they should be detained inside the occupied territory. Administrative detention Administrative detention is detention without charge or trial and is often based on 'secret evidence'. Israeli Military Order 1226 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 569 Palestinians being held by Israel without charge or trial in administrative detention, of which five are children, including two girls, Salwa and Sara. Since 2000, when Israeli military commanders started issuing administrative detention orders against children, the numbers have steadily been rising to around 30 children being held per year. DCI/PS continues to urge Israeli authorities to: Immediately cease the practice of holding children in administrative detention; and Immediately and unconditionally release all children currently held in administrative detention, or charge them with a recognisable criminal offence and promptly try them in a proper court of law with internationally accepted standards for a fair trial. For further information on administrative detention and ways in which you can take action please visit the Freedom Now webpage.