Ramallah – 17th April 2026 – The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) organized yesterday, Thursday, a hearing session titled “Protecting Rights and Freedoms under Detention: A Human Rights Approach” with lawyer and human rights defender MR. MUHANNAD KARAJAH. The session was held via Zoom as part of the activities of the Engage Project, implemented by Filastiniyat Association in partnership with the Media Center at An-Najah National University, with funding from the European Union, and with MADA participating as a second partner.
The session was attended by a number of journalists, representatives of media institutions, and civil society organizations, in addition to MADA’s legal advisor, MR. FIRAS KARAJAH.
The session aimed to shed light on the challenges faced by human rights defenders by creating a space for dialogue and exchange of experiences to assess the current situation, explore ways to strengthen legal and human rights protections, and develop practical recommendations to support advocacy efforts in this field.
The session opened with welcoming remarks by MADA’s Acting Director, MS. SHIREEN AL-KHATIB, who emphasized the importance of addressing the critical issue of protecting rights and freedoms under detention. She noted that, within the Palestinian context—marked by escalating challenges and increasingly complex conditions—detention is no longer merely a legal measure restricting liberty. In many cases, it has become an entry point for violations of a wide range of fundamental rights, including freedom of expression, media work, and the right to a fair trial. This reality reflects a clear overlap between legal and political dimensions, necessitating in-depth discussion grounded in international humanitarian law and human rights standards, particularly amid serious questions regarding the effectiveness of accountability mechanisms and the capacity of the legal system to provide protection.
Lawyer MUHANNAD KARAJAH reviewed the key risks and challenges he has faced at the individual level as a human rights defender, which have also impacted the work of the “Lawyers for Justice” Organization since its establishment in 2011. He explained that his decision to work in defending political detainees stemmed from his recognition of the urgent need for this role within the existing context.
He also addressed a series of violations he has experienced throughout his career, ranging from abuses by Israeli occupation forces and settlers to violations by Palestinian security forces. These included physical assault that led to his hospitalization, summons and interrogation on charges of “inciting sectarian strife” in connection with his participation in a demonstration described as unlawful, as well as repeated incitement campaigns against him.
He further noted that the most recent of these violations occurred in 2025, when he was detained for 48 hours over AI-generated posts attributed to him. He continues to face legal proceedings in connection with this case.
For his part, MADA’s legal advisor reviewed the various forms of violations faced by human rights defenders in Palestine, ranging from killing and physical harm—particularly during peaceful demonstrations—to restrictions on freedom of movement and travel bans, in addition to threats and financially motivated violations. He emphasized that the core issue does not lie in the legal texts themselves, but rather in their improper implementation, resulting from legislative and structural imbalances within the political system.
During the discussion, participants recommended the establishment of a national network for human rights defenders to help reduce violations against them. They also stressed the importance of raising awareness among this group about concepts and practices that may expose them to violations.
