Nizar Banat
Nizar Khalil Muhammad Banat (Abu Kifah; 27 August 1978 – 24 June 2021) was a Palestinian political activist and human rights defender. He was one of the most prominent activists opposing the Palestinian National Authority, attacking its policies and people he described as corrupt. Banat was the head of the Freedom and Dignity List. He was beaten to death by a squad belonging to the Palestinian Authority's security forces who came to his place of residence.[1][2]
In the prisons of the Palestinian Authority
He is best known for his anti-government videos that he posted on social media, addressing corruption and human rights violations.[3] Amira Hass and Jack Khoury (Haaretz)[4] indicate that Banat's criticisms were directed not only against Abbas' government, but also against Abbas' opponent Mohammed Dahlan, whose supporters are linked in intelligence circles.
The Palestinian Authority arrested him several times on charges of insulting national sentiment, assaulting the Palestinian Authority,[5] and inciting strife against the Palestinian Authority through his Facebook page.
His house was attacked by security elements after his demand for the European Union to cut aid to the Palestinian Authority, due to the postponement of the 2021 Palestinian legislative elections, a process denounced by the European Union on 2 May 2021 on its official account on Twitter: "The Union Commission in Palestine is following with concern the attack [on] the home of activist Nizar Banat was targeted in the town of Dura, in the southern West Bank. Violence against politicians and human rights defenders is unacceptable",[6] she added.
Death
On 24 June 2021, a Palestinian Preventive Security force stormed his house and arrested him. In the early hours of the morning,[7] the Palestinian Authority officially announced the death of activist Nizar Banat after he was arrested by a security force from his home in the Hebron Governorate in the southern West Bank, while his family accused the Authority of assassinating him with premeditation.[8]
International feedback
- European Union: The European Union issued a statement saying, "Shocked and saddened by the death of activist and former legislative candidate Nizar Banat, following his arrest by Palestinian security forces last night. Our condolences to his family and loved ones. A full, independent and transparent investigation must be conducted immediately."[9]
- United States: State Department spokesman Ned Price said the United States was "deeply disturbed by the death of Palestinian activist Nizar Banat and the information reported regarding the circumstances of his death." "We have serious concerns about the restrictions imposed by the Palestinian Authority on Palestinians' exercise of freedom of expression and the harassment of activists and civil society organizations", Price added.[10]
References
- ^ "Activist critical of Palestinian Authority dies after arrest". BBC News. 24 June 2021. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ "Outspoken critic of Palestinian Authority dies after violent arrest". NBC News. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ Andrew Carey and Abeer Salman. "Palestinian activist dies during 'brutal beating and arrest' by Palestinian Authority forces". CNN. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ "Thousands protest in West Bank after death of dissident in Palestinian Authority custody". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ "الأمن الفلسطيني يعتقل الناشط نزار بنات". Alaraby. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ Heaney, Christopher. "EU Local Statement on the Arrest of the Activist Nizar Banat". Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ "Critic of Palestinian Authority dies after violent arrest". AP NEWS. 24 June 2021. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ "Palestinian Authority critic Nizar Banat dies in PA custody, UN demands investigation". Al Arabiya English. 24 June 2021. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ "EU local statement on the death of activist Nizar Banat - European External Action Service". eeas.europa.eu. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ "Death of Palestinian Activist Nizar Banat - United States Department of State". state.gov. Retrieved 27 June 2021.