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Affidavits
One of Al-Haq’s
central activities is the
collection of affidavits
from the victims or
eye-witnesses of human
rights violations. An
affidavit is a statement
taken under oath in which
the victim or eye-witness swears the facts
declared to be true, and can
be subjected to legal
pursuits if guilty of
perjury. Affidavits are
collected by trained
fieldworkers employed by
Al-Haq, who take great care
to ensure accuracy and
precision. Questions are
asked on points of which the
individual may be unsure.
The rule against hearsay is
followed, as well as other
rules relating to evidence
that are observed in
judicial inquiries. Finally,
the written version of the
affidavit is read to the
individual giving the statement,
who is asked to sign it
(although in certain cases
the victims may refuse to
sign for fear of further
harassment).
Signed affidavits collected
by Al-Haq are used in many
aspects of the organisation's
work such as bringing
petitions to court,
performing legal research
and carrying out
international advocacy. Over
time the collection of
affidavits provides detailed
evidence of systematic
patterns of human rights
violations, constituting
documentary record of
evolving trends.
click here to view selected affidavits collected by Al-Haq
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Field Reports
In 2005 Al-Haq’s
Monitoring and Documentation
Department
began to issue regular three-monthly
reports covering
human rights abuses that occurred
during the reporting period. Since
the beginning of 2006, each report
highlights a specific trend.
First-hand documentation by Al-Haq's
Monitoring and Documentation
Department constitutes the backbone
of all other projects and activities
undertaken by the organisation. Al-Haq’s
fieldworkers gather information and
affidavits from victims of, and
eyewitnesses to, human rights
violations throughout the West Bank,
including East Jerusalem. The field
reports do not cover the Gaza Strip,
since Al-Haq has no fieldworkers
there. The Department continuously
documents violations of all sorts,
including comprehensive coverage of
killings, house demolitions,
curfews, and deportations. The
information gathered is channelled
into Al-Haq's advocacy at the local
and international levels, including
its interventions, legal research
reports and campaigns.
click here to view field reports by Al-Haq
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