Monday, August 8, 2011

Israel releases 2 female detainees

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RAMALLAH (Ma’an) -- Two Palestinian woman left Israeli jail after completing their sentences, the Palestinian Prisoners' Society said Thursday.

Kefah Qatesh from Ramallah, and Aysha Ighneimat from Hebron, spoke out about their conditions in prison after being freed.

Qatesh, 38, was released from Israel's Hasharon prison after a year under administrative detention, in which no charges are filed but 6 month jail terms can be renewed by Israeli authorities for Palestinian detainees.

Female detainees in Israeli prison are suffering from difficult heath and living circumstances, that have escalated after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu moved to worsen Palestinian prisoners' conditions, she said.

In June, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the prison service to toughen conditions for Palestinian detainees in an effort to pressure Hamas to release captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.

The measures were widely condemned by Palestinian officials and prompted hunger strikes by prisoners in protest against the changes.

Qatesh demanded the release of Palestinian detainees, and an end to violations of prisoners' rights by the Israeli authorities.

Aysha Ighneimat, 20, was also released from Israel's Damon prison on Thursday after two years imprisonment.

Ighneimat described poor living conditions for detainees in Israeli custody, saying cells had insect problems and high humidity, and prisoners suffered from narrow yard areas and medical negligence, particularly affecting female detainees.