Wednesday, May 6, 2009

In violation of third Geneva Convention Israeli administration imposes orange uniforms in prisons

05.05.09 - 13:21

Nablus / PNN - The Palestinian National Initiative condemned the Israeli prisons department for imposing orange uniforms on Palestinian political prisoners in the cells of the occupation.

The PNI said the Israeli move intends to cause psychological harm to Palestinians. A great campaign was launched last year to prevent the imposition of such uniforms on political prisoners, but what the nonviolent resistance achieved was only a postponement.

The National Initiative said today that this uniform is an image associated with the detainees at Guantanamo Bay and are violations of the rights of prisoners.

“The imposition of this dress on our prisoners comes as a form of incitement by some leaders of the occupation and the prison service. They must deal with Palestinians as they are not terrorists, but rather prisoners of war or political prisoners,” said the party, run by its Secretary General Dr. Mustafa Barghouthi.

PNI called on the Palestinian people and official institutions to engage in popular support of prisoners of war against this arbitrary action which adds to the cycle of repression and abuse, and is a denial of the most basic rights in flagrant violation of the Third Geneva Convention and international law.

The National Initiative added, “The Israeli decision to impose orange uniforms is also an abuse of the National Movement and the Prisoners’ Movement. It is a new method of repression and humiliation adding to torture, and deprivation of sleep and visits.”