URGENT ACTION

Man Detained for raising human rights

An outspoken critic of the human rights record of Libya, Jamal al-Hajji, was arrested on 9 December and apparently transferred to prison. Amnesty International considers him a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his criticism of the Libyan authorities.

Jamal al-Hajjihad been told by phone in the evening of 8 December to present himself the next day at 9am for questioning at the State Security Prosecution Office in the capital, Tripoli. He went there as instructed, and at about noon, he was able to call his wife and tell her that he was being taken to Jdeida prison in Tripoli. His family has not heard from him since then, and the authorities have not officially informed his family that he has been arrested.

Jamal al-Hajji received a previous summons from the State Security Prosecution Office on 5 November, telling him to attend to testify about a complaint he had presented to the Secretary of the General People's Committee for Justice(equivalent to justice minister), Mustafa Muhammad Abdeljalil. In his complaint,he had criticized the authorities’ failures in the administration of justice in Libya, the treatment, including torture, of Libyan prisoners, the continued arbitrary detention of people after acquittal by courts, and abuses committed by the security forces. He was questioned about this complaint, and released without charge.

Jamal al-Hajji had submitted this complaint after he was releasedfrom prison in March 2009: he had been detained since February 2007. In June 2008, he had been sentenced by theState Security Court, after an unfair trial, to 12 years' imprisonment for vaguely worded offences such as "attempting to overthrow the political system," "spreading false rumours about the Libyan regime" and "communicating with enemy powers." Jamal al-Hajji was arrested and tried in relation to a statement published on news websites calling for a peaceful demonstration to be held on 17 February 2007 to commemorate the killing by the security forces of at least 12 people and the injuring of scores more during a demonstration in Benghazi, the second largest city in the country,

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in Arabic or your own language:

• Expressing concern that Jamal al-Hajji was arrested on 9 December;

• Urging the authorities to release Jamal al-Hajji immediately and unconditionally, as Amnesty International believes that he has been detained solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression;

• Calling on them to ensure that Jamal al-Hajji is not subjected to torture or other ill-treatment in custody, is allowed regular visits by his family and lawyers, and receives any medical assistance he may require.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 20 JANUARY 2010 TO: