Press Release: ICHR and Palestinian Human Rights Organizations
Warn Against the Extradition of  the Palestinian Citizen Mahmoud Khader Abd Al-Adra (Hisham Harb) to French Authorities

The undersigned Palestinian human rights and civil society organizations express their deep concern and astonishment regarding the recent official Palestinian statements suggesting the possible extradition of Palestinian citizen Mahmoud Khader Abd Al-Adra, known as Hisham Harb, to French authorities, following his arrest last September based on international arrest warrants.

As we continue to monitor this case closely, we affirm that any action leading to the extradition of a Palestinian citizen to a foreign authority constitutes a flagrant violation of the Palestinian Basic Law, where Article 28 clearly states that:
“No Palestinian may be deported from the homeland, prevented from returning to it, denied departure from it, stripped of citizenship, or extradited to any foreign authority.”

Any infringement of this principle represents a serious breach of national sovereignty and the constitutional rights of citizens. It would set a dangerous precedent that undermines the integrity of the Palestinian legal system and its international human rights commitments, while potentially opening the door for other countries to demand the extradition of Palestinians.

Moreover, the citizen’s right to a fair trial before an independent national judiciary is a fundamental pillar of the Palestinian human rights framework,  and a principle that must not be compromised or surrendered under any circumstances.

Accordingly, we call upon the Palestinian leadership and the relevant authorities to fully adhere to the Basic Law and to their national duty to protect citizens’ rights. We urge that the case of citizen Al-Adra be handled exclusively within the Palestinian judicial system, ensuring the guarantees of a fair trial and due legal process, free from any external interference, political pressure, or non-legal considerations.

Signatory Organizations:
1.    Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR)
2.    Members of the Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council (PHROC)
3.    Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (MUSAWA)
4.    The Arab World Observatory for Democracy and Elections (AWO)
5.    Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling (WCLAC)
6.    Palestinian Youth Association for Leadership and Rights Activation (PYALARA)
7.    Human Rights and Democracy Media Center (SHAMS)
8.    National Commission for the Independence of the Judiciary
9.    Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy (MIFTAH)
10.    Palestinian Public Diplomacy Organization
11.    Health Work Committees
12.    Women’s Studies Center
13.    Arab Center for Agricultural Development (ACAD)
14.    General Union of Cultural Centers
15.    Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA)
16.    Bisan Center for Research and Development
17.    AMAN Coalition for Accountability and Integrity
18.    Center for the Defense of Liberties
19.    Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development (PWWSD)
20.    Al-Haq – Law in the Service of Man
21.    Defence for Children International – Palestine (DCI-P)
22.    Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
23.    Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights
24.    Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR)
25.    Muwatin Institute for Democracy and Human Rights
26.    Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Center (JLAC)
27.    Al-Dameer Association for Prisoner Support and Human Rights
28.    Center for the Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights (Hurryyat)