Ramallah / PNN - Palestinians confined in Al Naqab Prison in the desert of the same name issued word that their quality of living is declining on a daily basis under detention, and is compounded by the proliferation of rats and reptiles within sections of the prison camp.
Cells in Al Naqab are made up primarily of tents with exposure to the elements a norm.
The message came through the Palestinian Prisoner Society from a man inside who managed to contact a PPS lawyer. He said that there were reptiles living with them around the clock, and that the Israeli prison management refused to address the problem. It is not a new occurrence and happens every year at this time, but has now reached the extent where it is intolerable and a threat to their lives, especially with the threat of bites from snakes found in their beds.
The prisoners of Al Naqab state that the situation with these reptiles is by far the most dangerous in Section 5 of the prison, which is the oldest section and the worst in terms of sanitation. There the toilets are dirty, damaged and invalid for use as well as an open breeding ground for insects and rodents. The situation is bordering on a health disaster, compounding the prisoner’s already tragic situation.
The Palestinian political prisoners are saying that their application for a solution needs to be met by the military, as it threatens to spread epidemics throughout the prison. The situation is allowing for tension to escalate between the management and the Palestinians, compounding other humiliations such as forcing many of them to take off their clothes on the grounds of a security inspection.
There are many cases of prisoners requiring medical attention but being held from care due to the policy of medical neglect, such as being forced to await surgery without taking into account severe pain. This policy is a great risk to their lives, such as when the management of the prison camp moves their files from one internal department to another without reason and without taking into accounts the patients illness.
PPS has written letters on behalf of Palestinian political prisoners appealing to international human rights institutions and the International Committee of the Red Cross to intervene to stop the work of such serious violations. They also want the institutions to work to close the detention camp in the desert.
It is noteworthy that Al Naqab desert prison holds 2,320 people, including 600 in Administrative Detention, meaning without charge or trial. More than 150 prisoners are patients who do not receive medical care, and have to live in extremely difficult conditions such as stifling heat, because the prison administration will not allow cooling fans or even the drinking of cold water.
