Information on the Police Watch Unit was not found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI), described by ISR21635.E of 17 August 1995 as the Police Watch Unit's parent organization, is currently active and represented online by the following Website: http://www.acri.org.il/english-acri/engine/index.asp. ACRI is described by Giving Wisely, an internet directory of Israeli non-profit organizations, as "Israel's largest and leading civil rights organization, and the only one dealing with the entire spectrum of human rights and civil liberties" (1 Sept. 1999). Attempts by the Research Directorate to contact a representative of ACRI were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Reference

Giving Wisely. 1 September 1999. "The Association for Civil Rights in Israel." http://www.givingwisely.org.il/cgi-bin/xGWexpandF.pl?language=E&amuta=18 [Accessed 21 May 2003]

Additional Sources Consulted

A former volunteer for an Israel-based human rights organization was unable to respond to inquiries

Unsuccessful attempt to contact the Association for Civil Rights in Israel

Internet sites, including:

Amnesty International

Association for Civil Rights in Israel

Bambili

B'Tselem

Electronic Intifada

Ha'aretz

Human Rights Watch

Kav La'Oved

Public Committee Against Torture in Israel

Rabbis for Human Rights