Conscientious Objector imprisoned for seventh time in a row

20 more days for Ajuad Zidan

(30.03.2011) We have learned that conscientious objector Ajuad Zidan was sentenced again for his refusal to enlist. After his last sentence he was released on March 18. However, he was again ordered to report at the military induction base. March 21 he was sentenced again and returned to prison for 20 days. This is now his seventh term in prison. This cycle is likely to continue after this term in prison too.

Ajuad Zidan is due to be released from prison on April 7. Please send him letters of support to his prison address:

Ajuad Zidan, Military ID 5810026, Military Prison No. 6, Military Postal Code 01860, IDF, Israel, Fax: ++972-4-9540580

Since the prison authorities often block mail from reaching imprisoned objectors, we also recommend you to send them your letters of support and encouragement via e-mail to: messages2prison(at)newprofile.org, and they will be printed out and delivered during visits.

We also recommend to send letters of protest on the objectors` behalf, preferably by fax, to:

Mr. Ehud Barak, Minister of Defence, Ministry of Defence, Hakirya, Tel-Aviv 64743, Israel. eMail: sar(at)mod.gov.il" target="_blank or pniot(at)mod.gov.il" target="_blank, Fax: ++972-3-6976711

For those of you who live outside Israel, it would be very effective to send protests to your local Israeli embassy. You can find the address of your local embassy on the web.

Here is a generic sample letter,

which you can use in sending appeals to authorities on the prisoners` behalf. Feel free to modify this letter or write your own:

Dear Sir/Madam,

It has come to my attention that Ajuad Zidan from the town of Beit Jann (military ID 5810026), a conscientious objector to military service, has been imprisoned for the sixth time in a row for his refusal to become part of the Israeli army, and is held in Military Prison no. 6 near Atlit.

The imprisonment of conscientious objectors such as Ajuad Zidan is a violation of international law, of basic human rights and of plain morals. This is especially clear in cases, such as Zidan`s, in which conscientious objectors are being sentenced repeatedly for their self-same decision to refuse enlistment.

I therefore call for the immediate and unconditional release from prison of Ajuad Zidan, without threat of further imprisonment in the future, and urge you and the system you are heading to respect the dignity and person of conscientious objectors, indeed of all persons, in the future.

Sincerely,

Thank you for your attention and action,

Sergeiy Sandler – New Profile

Addendum May 11, 2011: He felt ill after finishing the 7th consecutive prison term and was then discharged from the military on medical grounds.

New Profile: CO Ajuad Zidan imprisoned for seventh time in a row. March 30, 2011

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