Human rights activists expected Israel to block their attempt
Lebanon, Politics, 8/14/1997

A delegation from Amnesty International-Canada in Beirut, the Lebanese capital, on August 13 to probe the conditions of Lebanese detainees held by Israel or its proxy militia was denied entry into the Khiam center in the occupied border zone.

Although the two human rights activists had expected Israel to block their attempt, they were unable to mask their disappointment.

"Everyone had assumed that we would be turned back, but we hoped there would be a chance since the Canadian ambassador in Tel Aviv was informed of our plans, and we thought he would be able to facilitate our entry," Serge Thibodeau said, during a sit-in at the international Red Cross in Nabatieh.

Anticipating the failure of the Canadian mission, the follow-up committee for the support of Lebanese detained in Israeli prisons had announced the sit-in demonstration last week.

Thibodeau's colleague, Josee Lambert, held hands with Fatmeh Assaad, mother of Khiam detainee Samih Hamadeh, although it seemed unclear who was doing the consoling.

"I was very hopeful that the Canadians would be able to enter Khiam in order to tell the world what our sons are going through. This has been yet another failure we have all suffered," Assaad said.

Thibodeau and Lambert said their mission to investigate the situation in Khiam prison and talk to the detainees was aborted at the very first South Lebanon Army checkpoint, "We had with us an Associated Press cameraman, but as we approached the Kfar Tibnin check point, 5 km from Khiam, the soldiers pointed M-16s at us and ordered the cameraman to leave. They then asked us for our names, made a few phone calls, and announced unceremoniously that Israel would not allow us into the occupied zone Thibodeau said.

"Before we walked away, we told them with conviction that we would return," he added.

But both he and Lambert were doubtful that they would have another attempt during this visit to Lebanon.

"I am leaving within the month and Jose is leaving on the l9th and we have a lot to do before then. But we will come back to Lebanon and somehow find a way into Khiam," Thibodeau said.

Lambert explained that their primary assignment was to prepare a file of interviews with former detainees and families of those still incarcerated. "It is not only the individuals who are taken prisoners, but their whole families are taken hostage," he said.

The Canadian delegation said that they would not only lodge a complaint with the Israeli government, but would also demand an explanation from their country's envoy in Tel Aviv.

Previous Stories:
  Attacks on Lebanon escalate   (8/13/1997)
  87 Lebanese get jail sentence for dealing with Israel   (8/8/1997)

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