UN officials voice concern for Palestinian detainees on hunger strike
February 14, 2013: Two senior United Nations officials today voiced their concern
about Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody, particularly following reports of
the fast deteriorating health conditions of several who have been on hunger strike.
Tarek
Qa’adan and Jafar Azzidine have been on hunger strike for 78 days to protest against
their administrative detention by Israel, while Samer Al-Issawi has been on partial
hunger strike for over 200 days, according to a news release issued by the Office
of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
“I am concerned about
the health conditions of these three Palestinian detainees on hunger strike,” stated
High Commissioner Navi Pillay.
She reiterated her concerns with regard to the
use of administrative detention by Israel. “Persons detained must be charged and face
trial with judicial guarantees in accordance with international standards, or be promptly
released,” she said.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian
territory, James Rawley, reiterated the same message today when he met with the Palestinian
Minister of Prisoner and Detainee Affairs, Issa Qaraqe, in Ramallah.
They discussed
the situation of the Palestinian detainees currently on hunger strike, in particular
the critical health condition of Mr. Al-Issawi, said a statement issued by Mr. Rawley’s
office.
Also today, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights
on Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Richard Falk, called for the immediate
release of the three Palestinian detainees on hunger strike.
“Continuing to
hold Mr. Qa’adan, Mr. Azzidine and Mr. Al-Issawi under these conditions is inhumane.
Israel is responsible for any permanent harm,” he warned. “If Israeli officials cannot
present evidence to support charges against these men, then they must be released
immediately.”
The expert noted in a news release that Mr. Qa’adan and Mr.
Azzidine are reportedly on the verge of death, “with the threat of a fatal heart attack
looming.” Both men were arrested on 22 November 2012 and began their hunger strikes
on 28 November, after being sentenced to administrative detention for a period of
three months. They were transferred to Assaf Harofi Hospital near Tel Aviv on 24 January
2013 after their conditions deteriorated sharply.
This is the second time
that these two men have undertaken hunger strikes against administrative detention,
since they took part in the mass hunger strike of Palestinians from 17 April to 14
May 2012. Mr. Qa’adan was released last July and Mr. Azzidine last June, before being
re-arrested.
“Israel must end the appalling and unlawful treatment of Palestinian
detainees. The international community must react with a sense of urgency and use
whatever leverage it possesses to end Israel’s abusive reliance on administrative
detention,” urged the Special Rapporteur.
Mr. Falk noted that Israel currently
holds at least 178 Palestinians in administrative detention.
Special rapporteurs
are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to examine and report back on a country
situation or a specific human rights theme. The positions are honorary and the experts
are not UN staff, nor are they paid for their work.