Amnesty International calls on “Israel” to disclose fate of two journalists detained nearly three years ago

WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 (YPA) – Amnesty International USA renewed its call on Israel to disclose the whereabouts and fate of Palestinian journalists Nidal al-Wahidi and Haitham Abdulwahid, who were detained by Israeli occupation forces in October 2023, coinciding with the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, observed annually on August 30.

In a statement, the organization said the whereabouts of the two journalists have remained unknown since their detention nearly three years ago, noting that Israeli authorities have not disclosed where they are being held or the legal basis for their detention, while their families continue to lack confirmed information about their fate.

As part of its campaign launched on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, Amnesty International called for the immediate disclosure of the whereabouts of al-Wahidi and Abdulwahid and the reasons for their detention, granting them access to lawyers appointed by their families, and ensuring that they are treated humanely and protected from torture and other forms of ill-treatment.

The organization also called for their immediate release unless they are charged with a criminal offense and guaranteed the right to a fair trial in accordance with international standards.

It stressed that the continued withholding of information about their whereabouts and conditions of detention raises concerns that they may be subjected to enforced disappearance.

@E.Y.M