Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Away from the sun - a documentary on Palestinian Prisoners in Israeli jails
A documentary on Palestinian Prisoners and the torture they suffer in Israeli jails.
Created by the Palestinian Ministry of Detainees and released Detainees, Department of International Relations.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Hunger striking prisoners facing sharp repression and continue their demands
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike are facing sharp repression from the Israeli Prison Administration. As reported by Addameer and others, Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike have reported confiscation of personal items and warm clothes. In response to these attacks, prisoners in Nafha are threatening to begin to refuse water as well.
One group of Palestinian prisoners associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine at Eshel prison participating in the strike have been transfered to Ohalei Kedar prison in retribution, while Hamas prisoners at Eshel prison on hunger strike were separated from one another and moved into the rooms of Fateh prisoners, in an attempt to exacerbate factional tensions.
At Ramon prison, Palestinian hunger strikers have been moved into isolation cells and hunger strikers throughout Israeli prisons are being denied access to independent doctors. Addameer lawyer Samer Sama’an has been banned from visiting all prisoners from 6 months, the second time in recent months that such a ban has been applied to an Addameer lawyer during prison hunger strikes.
In response to these attacks, Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike issued another statement reiterating their demands:
Despite the threat of the executioner, and the strength of his weapons, we will
1 – end the policy of solitary confinement
2 – close the file of administrative detention
3 – Cancel the actions taken after the capture of Shalit and the most important of which prevent the prisoners of Gaza Strip’s (456) prisoners from visiting their parents
4 – Allow higher education.
2 – close the file of administrative detention
3 – Cancel the actions taken after the capture of Shalit and the most important of which prevent the prisoners of Gaza Strip’s (456) prisoners from visiting their parents
4 – Allow higher education.
On Prisoner’s Day, this will not be just
another day of another year. Therefore, they are preparing to confront
the torturers, the executioners, and their weapons, and despite the
failure of the international community, we stand armed with only our
empty stomachs and solid will derived from the heroic march of our
people who continue to resist, and we have faith in victory and the
justice of our struggle for freedom.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Adnan: Crowd's joy made me forget all suffering
BETHLEHEM (Ma’an) -- “The happiness I saw on my peoples’ faces made me forget all the suffering I experienced when I was on hunger strike,” freed Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan said Wednesday.
When he arrived in Jenin, instead of going home, Adnan chose to head to the sit-in tent in Arraba village to meet with parents of prisoner Jaafar Izz Addin who is now on hunger strike protesting Israeli policies against prisoners.
Hundreds of Palestinians gathered on Tuesday night to greet the former detainee, whose 66-day hunger strike inspired others to protest administrative detention.
Adnan proceeded to visit the al-Aridha family who have three brothers in Israeli jails. Amjad al-Aridha is serving a 20-year sentence, his brother Mahmoud is serving life sentence, and Raddad al-Aridha is also detained in Israeli jail.
As time ran out, Adnan insisted on visiting the sit-in tent in Kafr Raai village after midnight to meet with the mother of prisoner Bilal Thiab who has been on hunger strike for more than 50 days.
He arrived at 3 a.m. and told Thiab's mother that when her son bid him farewell he was chanting “Allahu akbar”. Other prisoners Thaer Halhla, Hasan Safadi, Omar Shallala and Mahmoud Siksik also chanted “Allahu Akbar” from inside their prison cells because they were not allowed to bid him farewell, Adnan explained.
Asked about the last moments before he left his cell in Ramla prison for freedom, Adnan said, “It looked like an uprising as all my hunger-striking fellow prisoners began chanting 'Allahu akbar.'
"I tried to bid them farewell," he added, "but I was denied that and was moved from one detention center to another until I finally arrived at Salem center in the northern West Bank.”
Adnan highlighted that his release was delayed 16 hours as he was moved from one place to another. He was not released from Salem center, but was handed to the International Committee of the Red Cross which took him to Arraba.
“When I noted that delay, I started a hunger strike again fearing the Israelis might go back on their word.”
“They detained me in the darkness so that nobody could see them, and when they released me they did it in the darkness so that nobody could welcome me. They failed in that because I had a reception which indicates that our people are still committed to the prisoners' cause and will support them until they are all freed,” Adnan said.
Adnan pointed out that Israeli prison authorities shut down the windows of all cells when they moved him to prevent other inmates from seeing him released.
With regard to the feasibility of hunger strikes, Adnan said it would be better if it is done in stages starting first with dozens or hundreds of prisoners, then gradually others join them until all prisoners are on hunger strike. The longer prisoners continue with hunger strike, the better they can expose the occupation’s policies and injustice to the world, he said.
As for the current situation with 1,600 prisoners on hunger strike, Adnan suggested that other prisoners join them in stages with 500 joining at each stage.
“My hunger strike was not a new form of hunger strike, but the long duration gave it special importance. This is like vertical expansion where you construct a building on a small area of land, but that building benefits everybody.”
Israel frees Khader Adnan
Khader Adnan's 66-day hunger strike inspired hundreds of prisoners to take
on Israel's policy of holding detainees without charge.
on Israel's policy of holding detainees without charge.
BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- Israeli authorities released former hunger-striking administrative detainee Khader Adnan late Tuesday, a Ma'an correspondent reported.
Adnan arrived at his home in Araba in the northern West Bank to meet his family before returning to a tent reception where he spoke to well-wishers and officials in the village.
Hundreds of Palestinians chanted slogans in solidarity with prisoners as they welcomed the former detainee, whose 66-day hunger strike inspired others to protest administrative detention.
Under the provision, Israel can imprison suspects indefinitely, without ever informing them of the charges they face or presenting their lawyers with any evidence. Over 300 Palestinians are held without charge in Israel.
Inspired by Adnan's protest, a female prisoner, Hana Shalabi, refused food for 43 days before the Israelis decided to deport her to Gaza, barring her from returning to her native West Bank for at least three years.
On Tuesday, at least 1,200 prisoners in Israeli jails launched an open-ended hunger strike.
Hundreds joined the so-called "battle of empty stomachs" to coincide with Palestinian Prisoners' Day, when both the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip stage mass rallies in support of some 4,800 prisoners who are held in Israeli prisons.
The Israeli prisons' authority said 2,300 prisoners had announced they would reject their daily meal on Tuesday, while 1,200 indicated they were launching a formal hunger strike.
"The Israeli Prisons Authority has coped with hunger strikes in the past and is prepared to cope with it now," it added.
Palestinian officials said 1,600 prisoners were joining the indefinite hunger strike.
Human rights groups called on Tuesday for international accountability for the situation of Palestinian prisoners. Al-Mezan urged the international community not to work with security corporation G4S, which equips Israeli checkpoints and jails.
Meanwhile, al-Haq urged the world not to ignore four Palestinian hunger-strikers who have been hospitalized after refusing food for over a month.
Reuters contributed to this report.
320 International Organization Launches International Appeal to Support the Demands of the Prisoners on Hunger Strike
Euromid.org
The
Eruo-Mediterranean Observer for Human Rights announced the launch of
the biggest international appeal to support the demands of the
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in Israeli prisons, with the
support of 320 international and local human rights organizations.
The
launch of the International Solidarity Appeal, which carries the name
"Thirst for Freedom", comes in conjunction with the anniversary of the
"Palestinian Prisoners' Day". In this day, 1600 Palestinian prisoners,
in the prisons of the Israeli occupation, start the widest hunger strike
movement to protest against the poor conditions of their detention,
which in turn is part of the perpetuating policy of administrative
detention and solitary confinement imposed against them.
The
delegate of the Euro-Mid stated that 320 non-governmental organizations
around the world responded to the Euro-Mid call to activate the issue
of the Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike on an international level
and to pledge to work through the mechanisms of the international law to
hold pressure on the Israeli occupation in order to achieve the fair
demands of the prisoners. This statement came in the press conference
held today at Beach Hotel in Gaza.
Some
of the demands included in the International Solidarity Appeal are: "…
we are calling for justice and law enforcement and, we are calling …to
halt the inhuman policies of confinement against the detainees. … to
allow the detainees of the Gaza Strip to meet their relatives, having
been deprived from such visits since 2006 up till now… to stop the
policies taken against them; such as, the sudden nocturnal inspection of
their rooms; to stop the humiliating strip inspections, which is
humiliating for them and their families during the social visits.”
Ms.
Amnai Al-Senwar, the Regional Director of the Euro-Med in Amman,
commented that: "The institutions signing the appeal are acting in this
appeal as a united coalition with all the international institutions,
especially the UN Human Rights Council and its committees, and pledges
to take the necessary measures to support the demands of prisoners on
hunger strike, according to the development of their strike and the
response of the Israeli side to their demands.”
It
is worth mentioning that the signature on the international appeal
"Thirst for Freedom" is still open to all organizations and human rights
organizations around the world that desires to join this appeal. The
Appeal can be accessed through the website of the Euro-Mediterranean
Observatory, or through direct contact with its headquarters in Geneva,
or the regional administration in the Amman, Jordan
UFree Network | Media Centre
UFree is an independent European-wide human rights network; set up to defend the rights of Palestinian prisoners and detainees
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Palestinian captives launch the "dignity strike"
WEST BANK, ( PIC)-- Thousands of Palestinian prisoners from a number of different factions who are held in the occupation jails launched, on Tuesday (17 April) which coincides with the "Palestinian Prisoners' Day", an indefinite hunger strike referred to as the Karameh (dignity) strike, declaring their determination to continue their strike until their demands are met.
The prisoners confirmed that after three years of communications, the various political currents in the prisoners' movement have reached an agreement to escalate the ongoing hunger strikes" to demand their rights which are ignored by the occupation government for many long years.
Thus, the prisoners launch on the 17th April (the Palestinian Prisoners' Day) "an open hunger strike. This means their refusal of all forms of food and liquid (with the exception of water) until their demands are met" The captives noted that the strike is the only tool that they have to obtain their rights, to put pressure on the occupation government and force it to negotiate with the prisoners' movement."
The main demands of Karameh strike are: first to end to the policy of solitary confinement under which some prisoners have been isolated for more than a decade, second to permit the prisoners' families from the Gaza Strip their right to visit prisoners which has been denied to all families for more than 6 years, third, to improve the living conditions of prisoners that has collapsed by unfair political decisions such as the ‘Shalit’ law, which outlaws learning, newspapers and many TV channels.
Palestinian inmates launch 'battle of empty stomachs'
Published yesterday (updated) 18/04/2012 01:17
Palestinian children take part in a rally in front of the Red Cross headquarters
in Gaza City marking Palestinian Prisoners Day, April 17, 2012.
(Reuters/Suhaib Salem)
in Gaza City marking Palestinian Prisoners Day, April 17, 2012.
(Reuters/Suhaib Salem)
RAMALLAH
(Reuters) -- At least 1,200 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails
launched an open-ended hunger strike on Tuesday, upping the stakes in a
protest movement that has put Israel under pressure.
Israel has already struck deals with two Palestinian detainees this year after they staged prolonged hunger strikes and 10 other inmates have been refusing to take food in an ad-hoc campaign that has gathered unexpected momentum.
Hundreds more joined the so-called "battle of empty stomachs" on Tuesday to coincide with Palestinian Prisoners' Day, when both the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip stage mass rallies in support of some 4,800 prisoners who are held in Israeli prisons.
"I am afraid for the life of my son. I am afraid for all their lives. All the prisoners are as dear to me as my son is," said Gaza resident Zbaida Al-Masri, adding that her son, Yusri, was serving a 20-year-term for fighting against Israel.
The Israeli prisons' authority said 2,300 prisoners had announced they would reject their daily meal on Tuesday, while 1,200 indicated they were launching a formal hunger strike.
"The Israeli Prisons Authority has coped with hunger strikes in the past and is prepared to cope with it now," it added.
Palestinian officials said 1,600 prisoners were joining the indefinite hunger strike.
Prisoners in Ofer jail said all its inmates had joined the strike, and that Israeli prison authorities have threatened to forbid family visits, close amenities, and extend solitary confinement and transfer to other jails.
The hunger strikers have a long list of complaints, including the Israeli use of solitary confinement, the difficulty many having in securing family visits and the strip searches that are imposed on visitors.
Palestinians also denounce so-called administrative detention, whereby Israel can imprison suspects indefinitely, without ever informing them of the charges they face or presenting their lawyers with any evidence. Over 300 Palestinians are held without charge in Israel.
Divided
Although all the main Palestinian political factions said they were backing the action, divisions swiftly appeared, with prisoners belonging to the Fatah faction accusing the Islamist rivals Hamas of using the campaign to divert attention from its own internal divisions.
Attempts to end a feud between President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement, which holds sway in the West Bank, and Hamas, which governs Gaza, have so far failed to bear fruit.
Abbas urged the prisoners to remain united in their cause on Tuesday.
"The sole beneficiary of the Palestinian split is Israel, the occupying power," he said in a statement. "Preserve the unity of prisoners' movement, because you know what divisions and disagreements have done to our homeland and our just cause."
The president added that PA will seek formal prisoner of war status for high contracting parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to demand implementing the convention in the Palestinian territory, official PA news agency Wafa reported.
Human rights groups called on Tuesday for international accountability for the situation of Palestinian prisoners. Al-Mezan urged the international community not to work with security corporation G4S, which equips Israeli checkpoints and jails.
Meanwhile, al-Haq urged the world not to ignore four Palestinian hunger-strikers who have been hospitalized after refusing food for over a month.
The start of the mass hunger strike coincides with the expected release of Khader Adnan, 33, who refused food for 66 days before agreeing to a deal to secure his freedom.
Inspired by his protest, a female prisoner, Hana Shalabi, refused food for 43 days before the Israelis decided to deport her to Gaza, barring her from returning to her native West Bank for at least three years.
At the pro-prisoner rally in Gaza, boys in chains stood before the crowd as demonstrators set fire to an Israeli flag. On a nearby float, a dummy representing an Israeli soldier sat dejected-looking in an iron cage.
"We demand that the Palestinian resistance carries out a second prisoner swap deal," said Ahmed Bahar, a senior Hamas politician, hinting that militants should try to seize an Israeli soldier and use him to barter for Palestinians.
Israel agreed last year to free over 1,000 Palestinians in return for Gilad Shalit, a soldier held in Gaza for five years.
Ma'an staff in Bethlehem contributed to this report
Israel has already struck deals with two Palestinian detainees this year after they staged prolonged hunger strikes and 10 other inmates have been refusing to take food in an ad-hoc campaign that has gathered unexpected momentum.
Hundreds more joined the so-called "battle of empty stomachs" on Tuesday to coincide with Palestinian Prisoners' Day, when both the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip stage mass rallies in support of some 4,800 prisoners who are held in Israeli prisons.
"I am afraid for the life of my son. I am afraid for all their lives. All the prisoners are as dear to me as my son is," said Gaza resident Zbaida Al-Masri, adding that her son, Yusri, was serving a 20-year-term for fighting against Israel.
The Israeli prisons' authority said 2,300 prisoners had announced they would reject their daily meal on Tuesday, while 1,200 indicated they were launching a formal hunger strike.
"The Israeli Prisons Authority has coped with hunger strikes in the past and is prepared to cope with it now," it added.
Palestinian officials said 1,600 prisoners were joining the indefinite hunger strike.
Prisoners in Ofer jail said all its inmates had joined the strike, and that Israeli prison authorities have threatened to forbid family visits, close amenities, and extend solitary confinement and transfer to other jails.
The hunger strikers have a long list of complaints, including the Israeli use of solitary confinement, the difficulty many having in securing family visits and the strip searches that are imposed on visitors.
Palestinians also denounce so-called administrative detention, whereby Israel can imprison suspects indefinitely, without ever informing them of the charges they face or presenting their lawyers with any evidence. Over 300 Palestinians are held without charge in Israel.
Divided
Although all the main Palestinian political factions said they were backing the action, divisions swiftly appeared, with prisoners belonging to the Fatah faction accusing the Islamist rivals Hamas of using the campaign to divert attention from its own internal divisions.
Attempts to end a feud between President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement, which holds sway in the West Bank, and Hamas, which governs Gaza, have so far failed to bear fruit.
Abbas urged the prisoners to remain united in their cause on Tuesday.
"The sole beneficiary of the Palestinian split is Israel, the occupying power," he said in a statement. "Preserve the unity of prisoners' movement, because you know what divisions and disagreements have done to our homeland and our just cause."
The president added that PA will seek formal prisoner of war status for high contracting parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to demand implementing the convention in the Palestinian territory, official PA news agency Wafa reported.
Human rights groups called on Tuesday for international accountability for the situation of Palestinian prisoners. Al-Mezan urged the international community not to work with security corporation G4S, which equips Israeli checkpoints and jails.
Meanwhile, al-Haq urged the world not to ignore four Palestinian hunger-strikers who have been hospitalized after refusing food for over a month.
The start of the mass hunger strike coincides with the expected release of Khader Adnan, 33, who refused food for 66 days before agreeing to a deal to secure his freedom.
Inspired by his protest, a female prisoner, Hana Shalabi, refused food for 43 days before the Israelis decided to deport her to Gaza, barring her from returning to her native West Bank for at least three years.
At the pro-prisoner rally in Gaza, boys in chains stood before the crowd as demonstrators set fire to an Israeli flag. On a nearby float, a dummy representing an Israeli soldier sat dejected-looking in an iron cage.
"We demand that the Palestinian resistance carries out a second prisoner swap deal," said Ahmed Bahar, a senior Hamas politician, hinting that militants should try to seize an Israeli soldier and use him to barter for Palestinians.
Israel agreed last year to free over 1,000 Palestinians in return for Gilad Shalit, a soldier held in Gaza for five years.
Ma'an staff in Bethlehem contributed to this report
Conscientious objector Noam Gur sentenced to prison for her refusal to join the Israeli Army
Noam Gur, 18 year old from, Kiryat Motzkin near Haifa, arrived yesterday morning, Monday, 16 April, to the Induction Base in Tel Hashomer, where she declared her refusal to serve in the Israeli Army as it is an occupying force. She was sentenced to 10 days of imprisonment for her refusal.
In her refusal declaration Noam wrote:
"I
refuse to join an army that has, since it was established, been engaged
in dominating another nation, in plundering and terrorizing a civilian
population that is under its control."
- You can read more about Noam here
- Her prison address is:
- Noam Gur
Military ID 6084062
- Military Prison No. 6
- Military Postal Code 01860, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-4-9540580
Since
the prison authorities often block mail from reaching imprisoned
objectors, we also recommend you to send them your letters of support
and encouragement via e-mail to: messages2prison@newprofile.org
(hitting “reply all” to this message will send the message to the same
address), and they will be printed out and delivered during visits.
Recommended Action
First of all, please circulate this message and the information contained in it as widely as possible, not only through e-mail, but also on websites, social networks, conventional media, by word of mouth, etc.
First of all, please circulate this message and the information contained in it as widely as possible, not only through e-mail, but also on websites, social networks, conventional media, by word of mouth, etc.
Other recommendations for action:
1. Sending Letters of Support
Please send Noam letters of support to the prison address above and to messages2prison@newprofile.org.
2. Letters to Authorities
It is recommended to send letters of protest on the objectors’ behalf, preferably by fax, to:
- Mr. Ehud Barak,
Minister of Defence,
Ministry of Defence,
Hakirya,
Tel-Aviv 64743,
Israel.
E-mail: sar@mod.gov.il or pniot@mod.gov.il
Tel.: ++972-3-6975540 or ++972-3-6975423
Fax: ++972-3-6976711
Copies of your letters can also be sent to the commander of the military prison at:
- Commander of Military Prison No. 6,
Military Prison No. 6
Military Postal Code 01860, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-4-9540580
Another useful address for sending copies would be the Military Attorney General:
- Denny Efroni,
Chief Military Attorney
Military postal code 9605, IDF
Israel
Fax: ++972-3-569-45-26
It
would be especially useful to send your appeals to the Commander of the
Induction Base in Tel-HaShomer. It is this officer that ultimately
decides whether an objector is to be exempted from military service or
sent to another round in prison, and it is the same officer who is
ultimately in charge of the military Conscience Committee:
- Gil Ben Shaul,
Commander of Induction Base,
Meitav, Tel-HaShomer
Military Postal Code 02718, IDF
Israel.
Fax: ++972-3-737-60-52
For
those of you who live outside Israel, it would be very effective to
send protests to your local Israeli embassy. You can find the address of
your local embassy on the web.
Here is a generic sample letter, which you can use in sending appeals to authorities on the prisoners’ behalf. Feel free to modify this letter or write your own:
- Dear Sir/Madam,
It has come to my
attention that Noam Gur (military ID 6084062), a conscientious objector
to military service, has been imprisoned for the second time for his
refusal to become part of the Israeli army, and is held in Military
Prison no. 6 near Atlit.
The imprisonment of
conscientious objectors such as Gur is a violation of international law,
of basic human rights and of plain morals.
I therefore call for the
immediate and unconditional release from prison of Noam Gur, without
threat of further imprisonment in the future, and urge you and the
system you are heading to respect the dignity and person of
conscientious objectors, indeed of all persons, in the future.
Sincerely,
3. Letters to media in Israel and in other countries
Writing op-ed pieces and letters to editors of media in Israel and other
countries could also be quite useful in indirectly but powerfully
pressuring the military authorities to let go of the objectors and in
bringing their plight and their cause to public attention.
countries could also be quite useful in indirectly but powerfully
pressuring the military authorities to let go of the objectors and in
bringing their plight and their cause to public attention.
Here are some contact details for the main media outlets in Israel:
Ma'ariv:
2 Karlibach st.
Tel-Aviv 67132
Israel
Fax: +972-3-561-06-14
e-mail: editor@maariv.co.ileditor@maariv.co.il>
2 Karlibach st.
Tel-Aviv 67132
Israel
Fax: +972-3-561-06-14
e-mail: editor@maariv.co.il
Yedioth Aharonoth:
2 Moses st.
Tel-Aviv
Israel
Fax: +972-3-608-25-46
2 Moses st.
Tel-Aviv
Israel
Fax: +972-3-608-25-46
Ha'aretz (Hebrew):
21 Schocken st.
Tel-Aviv, 61001
Israel
Fax: +972-3-681-00-12
21 Schocken st.
Tel-Aviv, 61001
Israel
Fax: +972-3-681-00-12
Ha'aretz (English edition):
21 Schocken st.
Tel-Aviv, 61001
Israel
Fax: +972-3-512-11-56
e-mail: letters@haaretz.co.illetters@haaretz.co.il>
21 Schocken st.
Tel-Aviv, 61001
Israel
Fax: +972-3-512-11-56
e-mail: letters@haaretz.co.il
Israel Hayom:
2 Hashlosha st.
The B1 Building
Tel-Aviv
Israel
e-mail: hayom@israelhayom.co.ilhayom@israelhayom.co.il>
2 Hashlosha st.
The B1 Building
Tel-Aviv
Israel
e-mail: hayom@israelhayom.co.il
Jerusalem Post:
P.O. Box 81
Jerusalem 91000
Israel
Fax: +972-2-538-95-27
e-mail: news@jpost.co.ilnews@jpost.co.il> or
letters@jpost.co.illetters@jpost.co.il>
P.O. Box 81
Jerusalem 91000
Israel
Fax: +972-2-538-95-27
e-mail: news@jpost.co.il
letters@jpost.co.il
Radio (fax numbers):
Kol-Israel: +972-2-531-33-15 and +972-3-694-47-09
Kol-Israel: +972-2-531-33-15 and +972-3-694-47-09
Galei Zahal +972-3-512-67-20
Television (fax numbers):
Channel 1 +972-2-530-15-36
Channel 2 +972-2-533-98-09
Channel 10 +972-3-733-16-66
Channel 1 +972-2-530-15-36
Channel 2 +972-2-533-98-09
Channel 10 +972-3-733-16-66
Relatives of Egyptian prisoners stage sit-in
EL-ARISH, (PIC)-- Relatives of Egyptian prisoners in Israeli jails have staged a sit-in in front of the Egyptian military intelligence headquarters in El-Arish in northern Sinai Peninsula on Tuesday.
The sit-in, which coincided with the Palestinian prisoner’s day and the start of a hunger strike in Israeli jails, demanded the immediate release of 60 Egyptians still held in those jails.
An Egyptian security official met with the relatives and took from them a list of names of 60 Egyptians held in Israeli jails and promised to relay their request to the concerned parties.
Israel released 25 Egyptian prisoners last year in return for the release of its spy Elan Grapel. Reports said that Cairo would release another convicted spy Oda Tarabin in return for the release of the remaining Egyptian prisoners.
'Israel mass grave must exclude Palestinians'
JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- A
group of relatives of Palestinians killed by Israel demanded Tuesday
that the Israeli government exclude their remains from a state plan to
bury unidentified remains.
Israel's Haaretz daily reported that 8,000 jars of human remains are to be given a proper burial, under a national program unveiled Sunday by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv.
Palestinian relatives insisted that Israel follow through on its agreement with the Palestinian ministry of civil affairs in summer 2011 in which it agreed to release nearly 200 bodies of slain Palestinians.
In a statement, the group condemned Israel's "defiance of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions of 1949, in which Israel is obligated to return victims of war to their families."
It was not immediately clear if the unidentified remains kept by Israel would include Palestinians.
The burial process will start on May 20, Haaretz reported.
Families who wish to have their loved ones' tissues and organs buried together with relatives, instead of in a mass grave, will be permitted to do so, according to the report.
Israel's Haaretz daily reported that 8,000 jars of human remains are to be given a proper burial, under a national program unveiled Sunday by the National Institute of Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv.
Palestinian relatives insisted that Israel follow through on its agreement with the Palestinian ministry of civil affairs in summer 2011 in which it agreed to release nearly 200 bodies of slain Palestinians.
In a statement, the group condemned Israel's "defiance of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions of 1949, in which Israel is obligated to return victims of war to their families."
It was not immediately clear if the unidentified remains kept by Israel would include Palestinians.
The burial process will start on May 20, Haaretz reported.
Families who wish to have their loved ones' tissues and organs buried together with relatives, instead of in a mass grave, will be permitted to do so, according to the report.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
The torment of an isolated captive’s family continue 21 years on
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Palestinian captive Rizk Abdallah Muslim Rajoub from Dura south of Al-Khalil spent 11th month in the solitary confinement in "Ohali Kidar" prison. Rajoub spent twenty-one years in occupation jails on aggregate so far.
Rajoub's wife says that the occupation did not stop arresting her husband repeatedly since 1980 (two years after their marriage) that marked the beginning of the family's suffering and deprivation.
She explains to "Quds Press" reporter that her husband (55 years) is now suffering from serious health problems such as anemia as a result of repeated detentions and that on his last arrest in 25th November 2009, he was sentenced to three years and a half from which he spent 11 months in solitary confinement deprived of his family's visits.
The family's torment was augmented by occupation's arrest of their eldest son Ahmad at the age of eighteen years, in addition to administrative detention for most of Rajoub's extended family members whose only guilt was knowing "Abu Ahmed". Yet, the wife stressed on the family’s steadfastness and readiness to confront the occupation until their last breath.
Tunisia: Call for a ship to cruise Mediterranean in solidarity with prisoners
TUNISIA, (PIC)-- "The Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights" called for an international campaign in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in the occupation jails, who launch on Tuesday 17 April an indefinite hunger strike to achieve their demands in improving their conditions.
The League said it was important to "organize a broad campaign in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners through sending a ship from Tunisia towards the Mediterranean countries' ports," that aims at highlighting and internationalizing the prisoners' issue, and that will be loaded with an exhibition of Palestinian prisoners' products and creative works, in order to introduce people of the Mediterranean to their cause. "
In a press statement on the occasion of "Palestinian Prisoners' Day", the League welcomed holding an international symposium hosted by the UN in Tunisia to discuss the issue of Palestinian prisoners in occupation jails, stressing the need to "find serious and effective solutions to stop the occupation's repressive and inhuman practices against prisoners, especially the administrative detention policy and to force the Zionist entity to abide by all international norms and conventions in its treatments to the Palestinian prisoners, as the Geneva Convention. "
Halhale slips into a coma
[ 17/04/2012 - 04:19 PM ]
He said that the health condition of his son greatly deteriorated over the past few hours after 50 days of hunger strike.
Aziz explained that his son was suffering from fainting ever since Monday night in addition to non-stop bleeding from his mouth and nose.
Thaer is between life and
death, the father said, and called on the human rights groups and those
concerned with prisoners’ affairs to immediately intervene to save his son’s
life before it is too late.
Britain resumes bid to deport Bethlehem-born cleric
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| Preacher Abu Qatada is seen in this undated file image taken from television footage, appealing for the release of Briton Norman Kember who was taken hostage in Iraq. (Reuters/HO) |
LONDON (Reuters) --
Britain said on Tuesday it had re-arrested a Bethlehem-born cleric once
described as Osama bin Laden's "right-hand man in Europe" and would
resume plans to deport him to Jordan, where he has been convicted in his
absence of involvement in terrorist plots.
Preacher Abu Qatada, who holds Jordanian nationality, has been under virtual house arrest at his family home in London since February, when he was freed from a British prison after a court said his detention without trial was unlawful.
The court's decision followed a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in January that Qatada would not receive a fair trial in Jordan because evidence against him may have been obtained using torture.
The findings have embarrassed the British government, which maintains that Qatada is a national security risk, and prompted calls from politicians to defy the European court and deport the cleric before London hosts the Olympic Games in July and August.
Qatada, whose real name is Omar Othman, has been fighting attempts to deport him for six years and his case has become an important test of how Britain treats foreign suspects accused of having links with groups such as al-Qaida.
Britain says videotapes of his sermons were found in a German apartment used by three of the people who carried out al-Qaida's September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
A court in Jordan has found Qatada guilty in absentia of involvement in two bomb plots and a senior British judge has described him as a "truly dangerous" supporter of radical Islamist groups.
Qatada, a father of five, denies belonging to al-Qaida.
He was described as bin Laden's "right-hand man in Europe" by Spanish high court judge and human rights investigator Baltasar Garzon in 2004 after 191 people were killed by bombs put on board commuter trains in Madrid by Islamist militants.
British Home Secretary Theresa May, responsible for domestic security, traveled to Jordan in March to seek a deal that would allow the deportation to proceed by gaining assurances that torture evidence would not be used against Qatada.
She was due to update parliament later on the progress of negotiations with Jordan.
Qatada was expected to appear in a specialist court where the government would seek to overturn his bail and return him to prison.
"UK Border Agency officers have today arrested Abu Qatada and told him that we intend to resume deportation proceedings against him," the Home Office said in a statement.
Al-Qaida last week warned Britain against sending Qatada to Jordan, saying in a statement on an Islamist website that such a move would open the "door of evil" for the British government and its people.
Qatada was born in 1960 near Bethlehem, then controlled by Jordan and now part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Never formally charged with an offense, he has been in and out of custody since he was first detained under anti-terrorism laws in 2002.
Since his release Qatada has had to wear an electronic tag to allow the police to keep track of him and spend 22 hours a day at his family home. He was also banned from using the Internet and mobile phones.
Preacher Abu Qatada, who holds Jordanian nationality, has been under virtual house arrest at his family home in London since February, when he was freed from a British prison after a court said his detention without trial was unlawful.
The court's decision followed a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in January that Qatada would not receive a fair trial in Jordan because evidence against him may have been obtained using torture.
The findings have embarrassed the British government, which maintains that Qatada is a national security risk, and prompted calls from politicians to defy the European court and deport the cleric before London hosts the Olympic Games in July and August.
Qatada, whose real name is Omar Othman, has been fighting attempts to deport him for six years and his case has become an important test of how Britain treats foreign suspects accused of having links with groups such as al-Qaida.
Britain says videotapes of his sermons were found in a German apartment used by three of the people who carried out al-Qaida's September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
A court in Jordan has found Qatada guilty in absentia of involvement in two bomb plots and a senior British judge has described him as a "truly dangerous" supporter of radical Islamist groups.
Qatada, a father of five, denies belonging to al-Qaida.
He was described as bin Laden's "right-hand man in Europe" by Spanish high court judge and human rights investigator Baltasar Garzon in 2004 after 191 people were killed by bombs put on board commuter trains in Madrid by Islamist militants.
British Home Secretary Theresa May, responsible for domestic security, traveled to Jordan in March to seek a deal that would allow the deportation to proceed by gaining assurances that torture evidence would not be used against Qatada.
She was due to update parliament later on the progress of negotiations with Jordan.
Qatada was expected to appear in a specialist court where the government would seek to overturn his bail and return him to prison.
"UK Border Agency officers have today arrested Abu Qatada and told him that we intend to resume deportation proceedings against him," the Home Office said in a statement.
Al-Qaida last week warned Britain against sending Qatada to Jordan, saying in a statement on an Islamist website that such a move would open the "door of evil" for the British government and its people.
Qatada was born in 1960 near Bethlehem, then controlled by Jordan and now part of the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Never formally charged with an offense, he has been in and out of custody since he was first detained under anti-terrorism laws in 2002.
Since his release Qatada has had to wear an electronic tag to allow the police to keep track of him and spend 22 hours a day at his family home. He was also banned from using the Internet and mobile phones.
IOF soldiers arrest Palestinian woman
AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Israeli occupation forces (IOF) arrested a Palestinian woman at a roadblock in Al-Khalil city after claiming she had a knife in her possession.
The IOF said that the knife was found with the 21-year-old woman during a regular search of passing by citizens.It claimed that the young woman might have been planning to attack an IOF soldier or a Jewish settler.
Gaza man seeking family reunification 'detained at Erez'
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) --
Israeli forces detained a Palestinian man at a military crossing from
the Gaza Strip last week, relatives told Ma'an.
Eyhab Ahmad Abu al-Jidyan, 39, attended an interview with security officials at the Erez crossing last Monday and never returned, his family said.
Abu al-Jidyan was seeking permission to bring his children, who are currently staying at a facility for people with disabilities in the West Bank, back to Gaza.
He currently visits his three children, who are blind, at the Ash-Shorouq center in Beit Jala once a year. Seeking to reunite the family, he tried to bring the children to his home in Jabalia refugee camp, where he is the sole parent of 10 children.
A spokesman for Israel's military department in charge of the crossing said he had no information about the detention.
Eyhab Ahmad Abu al-Jidyan, 39, attended an interview with security officials at the Erez crossing last Monday and never returned, his family said.
Abu al-Jidyan was seeking permission to bring his children, who are currently staying at a facility for people with disabilities in the West Bank, back to Gaza.
He currently visits his three children, who are blind, at the Ash-Shorouq center in Beit Jala once a year. Seeking to reunite the family, he tried to bring the children to his home in Jabalia refugee camp, where he is the sole parent of 10 children.
A spokesman for Israel's military department in charge of the crossing said he had no information about the detention.
Resheq: Resistance only means to liberate prisoners
CAIRO, (PIC)-- Political bureau member of Hamas Ezzet Al-Resheq has said that liberating prisoners should precede the liberation of the occupied lands.
In a press release on Tuesday on the occasion of the Palestinian prisoner’s day, Resheq called on the Palestinian factions to compete in capturing Israeli soldiers to exchange them for Palestinian prisoners to rid them of their suffering.
He said that resistance is the only means capable of releasing those prisoners, opining that negotiations and the peace process were mere illusions and a waste of time.
The Hamas leader described the issue of those prisoners as humanitarian par excellence, calling for broad international solidarity campaign with the prisoners in their hunger strike to win back their rights and just demands.
For its part, the armed wing of Hamas, the Qassam Brigades, vowed never to relinquish the issue of those prisoners and to maintain incessant efforts to bring about their freedom regardless of the lapse of time.
Bilin activist Abu Rahmeh released from Israeli prison
RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Israeli authorities released activist Ashraf Abu Rahmeh on Sunday night, the Bilin Popular Committee said.
Abu Rahmeh was detained by Israeli forces in October 2011 while participating in a weekly protest against Israeli land confiscation.
He is a leading figure in weekly non-violent demonstrations against Israel's ongoing annexation of village land for nearby illegal settlements and the separation wall.
An Israeli military court convicted him of organizing an illegal demonstration and throwing stones, imprisoning him in Ofer jail for six months. He paid 2,000 shekels ($530) to Israeli authorities upon his release, the popular committee told Ma'an.
He has been arrested several times by Israeli forces.
Both Abu Rahmeh's brother and sister were killed by Israeli forces while taking part in demonstrations.
In Jan. 2011, Jawahir Abu Rahmah, 36, died after inhaling large amounts of tear gas fired by Israeli forces who forcibly dispersed a weekly rally.
Abu Rahmah's brother Bassem was killed in April 2009 by a tear gas canister fired at his chest by an Israeli soldier during a village demonstration.
In 2008, a video emerged of Ashraf being shot in the foot by Israeli soldiers while blindfolded and bound.
The village of Bilin, west of Ramallah, has been the scene of weekly protests for years as Palestinians have fought to protect their land from annexation.
Israel blocks entry of 80 foreign solidarity activists
OCCUPIED JERUSALEM, (PIC)-- The Israeli authorities blocked the entry of 80 foreign solidarity activists, who were supposed to visit the West Bank in solidarity with the Palestinian people, on Monday.
A spokesperson for the Israeli police said that 78 solidarity activists were detained at Ben Gurion airport including 51 French nationals, 11 Britons, six Italians, five Canadians, two Spaniards, and one from each of the USA, Switzerland, and Portugal.
She said that 18 voluntarily returned to their places of departure while the others were taken to two detention centers in preparation for their forced deportation.
Health of hunger strikers sharply worsens
JENIN, (PIC)-- A human rights group has held the Israeli occupation authority (IOA) responsible for the life of two hunger strikers whose health condition had sharply deteriorated.
Muhjat Al-Quds group said in a statement on Monday that Thaer Halahle and Bilal Dhiab have lost 18 kilograms of their weight after 49 days of hunger strike.
It said that both detainees were protesting their administrative custody without trial or charge, describing their incarceration as arbitrary.
The group noted that both prisoners were suffering low blood sugar, low blood pressure, pain in the kidney and stomach, difficulty in walking, and weakness in their eyesight, and repeatedly pass out.
Statement No. 1: Leadership Committee of Palestinian Prisoners on Hunger Strike
Sumidoun
The following statement, titled Statement No. 1, was issued on April 16, 2012 by the coordinating committee of Palestinian prisoners engaged in a massive hunger strike to launch on Palestinian Prisoners’ Day 2012. Translated from the Arabic.
The text of the statement follows:
Statement No. 1
Issued by the Higher National Leadership Committee of the Prisoners’ Struggle
Announcing the first spark of the intifada of the prisoners inside the cells of the occupation’s jails
To our great Palestinian people -
We believe in our right to liberty, our dignity, and the recovery of our stolen land and rights, and we announce the first spark of the battle in the occupation prisons (the battle to fulfil our promise) at the break of dawn on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, Palestinian Prisoners’ Day.
We promise to our martyrs and prisoners who have come before, and to all of our Palestinian people to continue this struggle until the full achievement of our rights and the end of the practice of solitary confinement, or until we die as martyrs.
Therefore, we call upon you to support us and our struggle locally and globally until we achieve victory or martyrdom. We have firm trust in you.
Victory for us, and for our great people!
Higher National Leadership Committee of the Prisoners’ Struggle
Palestinians mark prisoners day in Gaza, West Bank
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| Protesters hold candles during a rally to show solidarity with Palestinian prisoners inside Israeli jails, in front of the Red Cross headquarters in Gaza City on Monday night. (Reuters/Suhaib Salem) |
JENIN (Ma'an) -- Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank marked Palestinian Prisoners Day on Tuesday with ceremonies symbolizing long-hoped-for freedom from Israeli jails.
In Arraba village, south of Jenin, officials gathered to mark the day ahead of the expected release of local Khader Adnan, whose 66-day hunger strike ended with a deal to free him from administrative detention.
In Gaza City, Hana Shalabi -- released after 43 days on hunger strike -- lit a torch of freedom and applauded popular support for detainees challenging their imprisonment. Shalabi was sent from her native West Bank to Gaza under the release deal.
Another torch was lit in Arraba to honor Karim Younis, the longest-serving prisoner, and Lina Jarbouni, the longest-serving female prisoner, as well as Adnan, in the presence of prisoners' families.
Officials unveiled a mural painted by four Palestinian artists at the entrance to the village. The "Will and Freedom" mural -- by Muhammad Shalabi from Jenin refugee camp, Areij Urouq from Jenin city, Anas Abiyya from Salfit and Tamir Kamal from Zababda -- shows Palestinian women suffering from imprisonment of Palestinians in Israel.
Speaking at the event, Fatah leader Abbas Zaki said: "There will be no peace and no safety without releasing all prisoners from Israeli jails."
On Palestinian Prisoner’s Day; Al Dameer Calls On International Community To Take Serious Action to Release all Palestinian Prisoners Held in Israeli Prisons and Detention Centers
Reference: 23/2011
Al
Dameer Association for Human Rights expresses its solidarity with
Palestinian detainees and their families on the occasion Palestinian
Prisoner’s Day. This day 17 April, is commemorated annually in order to
remember the suffering of the Palestinian prisoners resulted from the
Israeli practices and policies against them. Palestinian Prisoners Day
comes at a time when the Israeli authorities are escalating their grave
violations of the rules of international humanitarian law (IHL) and
International Human Rights Law.
This year, the Palestinian Prisoners Day
comes at a time in which Palestinian detainees are going on hunger
strike in protest against their ongoing administrative detention, and
the extension of their terms of detention without presentation of any
evidence legally justifying their imprisonment. The Palestinian
prisoners are going on a hunger strike also because they are subjected
to cruel, inhuman and degrading conditions, they are denied to access to
medical care, in addition to practicing methods of torture against
them; placing some of them in solitary confinement; depriving them of
family visitation; and banning them from receiving academic education.
They also demand to cancel the ‘Shalit Law” bill, which imposes harsher
measures on the conditions of detention for Palestinian detainees in
Israeli prisons.
Al Dameer condemns the systematic and
continuous inhumane treatment of Palestinian detainees carried out by
Israel .The Palestinian prisoners’ rights are violated , they are
subjected to Ill-treatment and poor detention conditions, denying
visitation rights, Medical negligence and denial of healthcare,
Torture, and administrative detention. Also, Innumerable prisoners have
been subjected to torture and other forms of degrading and cruel
treatment during interrogation. IOF subject Palestinians detained in
Israeli prisons to numerous instances of torture, and cruel, inhuman and
degrading treatment. Moreover, Israel has placed a
total, sweeping ban on visits by the families of prisoners from Gaza
since June 2007. Further, Israeli Authorities categorizes Gazan
detainees as ‘unlawful combatants’.
IOF violations of Palestinian
prisoners’ rights constitute serious violations of the Fourth Geneva
Convention of 1949, the additional protocol of 1977 and all the
international conventions and treaties. Palestinian and Arab detainees
are subject to degrading treatment in breach of their most basic rights
accorded by international humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights
standards
Al Dameer Association for Human Rights
condemns the systematic and random detention of the Palestinian
civilians in the OPT. IOF continues practicing torture, cruel, inhuman
and degrading treatment against the Palestinian prisoners and their
families.
In the light of the above, Al Dameer expresses its solidarity with Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli jails and:
1- Calls upon the international
community to take effective and urgent action to ensure the release of
all Palestinian detainees and to end their sufferings.
2- Calls upon The High Contracting
Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention to fulfill their legal
obligations, and to exert pressure on Israel to respect IHL and IL. That
was in addition to the Israeli obligation to uphold the applicable
international standards regarding detention place and fair trial.
3- Calls on Palestinian society to unite
behind the legitimate demands of detainees to ensure the Palestinian
unified efforts for the attainment of freedom and dignity of detainees
and to release all Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons and
detention centers.
End
PA cabinet urges pressure on Israel to free all prisoners
RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- The Palestinian Authority cabinet called Tuesday
upon the United Nations to mobilize immediately to exert serious
pressure on Israel to release all Palestinian detainees.
Ministers called particularly for Israel to free veteran prisoners, affirming in a statement that at the same time Israel should treat detainees according to international conventions and covenants by granting them their rights stipulated in those agreements.
On the occasion of Palestinian Prisoner’s Day, the cabinet expressed the solidarity of the National Authority and the Palestinian people with the prisoners in their struggle and strike for basic rights.
"These include ending the strip-search policy, collective punishment and deprivation of visitations, prohibition of secondary and higher education, denial of newspaper access, continuous cell attacks and maltreatment."
Ministers called particularly for Israel to free veteran prisoners, affirming in a statement that at the same time Israel should treat detainees according to international conventions and covenants by granting them their rights stipulated in those agreements.
On the occasion of Palestinian Prisoner’s Day, the cabinet expressed the solidarity of the National Authority and the Palestinian people with the prisoners in their struggle and strike for basic rights.
"These include ending the strip-search policy, collective punishment and deprivation of visitations, prohibition of secondary and higher education, denial of newspaper access, continuous cell attacks and maltreatment."
Palestinian civil society and human rights organisations mark Palestinian Prisoners’ Day with call for action against Israeli prison contractor G4S
17 April 2012
Joint Statement
Today, on Palestinian Prisoners’ Day,
we the undersigned Palestinian civil society and human rights
organisations salute all Palestinian political prisoners, especially
those engaging in brave civil disobedience through ongoing hunger
strikes in protest to the ongoing violations of human rights and
international law. Emphasizing imprisonment as a critical component of
Israel’s system of occupation, colonialism and apartheid practiced
against the Palestinian people, we call for intensifying the global
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign to target corporations
profiting directly from the Israeli prison system. In particular, we
call for action to be taken to hold to account G4S, the world's largest
international security corporation, which helps to maintain and profit
from Israel’s prison system [1], for its complicity with Israeli violations of international law.
Imprisonment of Palestinians is a
form of Israeli institutionalized violence encompassing all stages of
the incarceration process. Palestinian political prisoners face
systematic torture and ill-treatment during their arrest and detention
at the hands of the Israeli military and are frequently and
unjustifiably denied family and lawyer visits. Wide-ranging and
collective punishments, including prolonged periods of isolation,
attacks on prisoners by special military forces and denying access to
education are used against Palestinian prisoners in an attempt to
suppress any form of civil disobedience within the prisons. As of April
2012, there were 4,610 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons,
including 203 child prisoners, 6 female prisoners and 27 members of the
Palestinian Legislative Council. 322 Palestinians are currently held in
administrative detention, without charge or trial.[2]
The severity of injustice and abuse
suffered by Palestinian political prisoners has been the drive for many
prisoners to begin hunger strikes at different intervals in protest
against harsh prison conditions, torture and ill treatment and Israel’s
arbitrary use of administrative detention. While the recent hunger
strikes of Khader Adnan, who ended his hunger strike after 66 days, and
Hana Shalabi, who ended her hunger strike after 43 days, resulted in
individual agreements, Israel and the Israeli Prison Service’s policies
therein remain unchanged and are now aimed at containing the hungers
strikers through punitive measures as well as cutting off their contact
with lawyers and family. Today, an estimate of over 1,000 Palestinian
political prisoners are reported to have joined in an open hunger strike
in addition to at least 8 others already engaged in an open hunger
strike, including Bilal Diab and Thaer Halahleh, on hunger strike since
29 February 2012.
In light of this increasing campaign
of civil disobedience from within the prisons, we demand accountability
for all corporations that both enable and directly profit from Israel’s
continued violations of Palestinian prisoners’ rights being committed
with impunity. Specifically, we call for action to hold to account G4S,
the British-Danish security company whose Israeli subsidiary signed a
contract in 2007 with the Israeli Prison Authority to provide security
systems for major Israeli prisons.[3]
G4S provided systems for the Ketziot and Megiddo prisons, which hold
Palestinian political prisoners from occupied Palestinian territory
inside Israel in contravention of international law.[4] The
company also provided equipment for Ofer prison, located in the
occupied West Bank, and for Kishon and Moskobiyyeh detention facilities,
at which human rights organisations have documented systematic torture
and ill-treatment of Palestinian prisoners, including child prisoners.[5] G4S continues to provide equipment to Israeli prisons.[6]
Moreover, G4S is involved in other
aspects of the Israeli apartheid and occupation regime: it has provided
equipment and services to Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank that form
part of the route of Israel’s illegal Wall and to the terminals
isolating the occupied territory of Gaza. G4S has also signed contracts
for equipment and services for the West Bank Israeli Police headquarters
and to private businesses based in illegal Israeli settlements.[7] A
panel of legal experts concluded that G4S may be criminally liable for
its activities in support of Israel’s illegal Wall and other violations
of international law.[8]
We welcome the news that the European Union has announced that it has not renewed its contract for security services with G4S [9]
following pressure from groups campaigning for Palestinian rights, and
salute the previous decision of the Edinburgh University Student
Association to block its contract with G4S.[10] We
call upon other public and civil society institutions and also on
private companies to follow suit and end their relationships with this
company that acts in service of Israeli apartheid and other violations
of international law. We demand that the Palestinian leadership bans G4S
from private and public tenders, and ask for the strict application of
the boycott legislation in the Arab world against companies cooperating
with the Israeli prison system.
We also note that G4S is being
actively opposed by other civil society groups elsewhere in the world
for its role in controversial deportation and imprisonment regimes,
abuse of workers rights, violations of universal human rights standards
and its involvement in the privatisation of public services. Let us work
together to expose not only G4S, but also the roles of imprisonment and
private security companies as political tools to silence and intimidate
communities all over the world.
Amid hunger strikes and the highly
publicized prisoner exchange deal in October, Palestinian prisoners’
issues have gained recent attention in international spheres. However,
despite this increased focus and the criticisms of these practices by
United Nations bodies, there has been no institutional changes made by
Israel in regard to the human rights violations being committed against
Palestinian political prisoners and detainees.[11] In
an attempt to counter Israel’s unwillingness to change its policies and
the lack of accountability for its countless human rights violations,
alternative measures such as preventing participation by companies such
as the G4S proves to be one of the few remaining effective steps towards
pressuring Israel to comply with international law. It is time overdue
to break this chain of international complicity.
|
Addameer Prisoners’ Support and Human Rights Association
Sahar Francis
General Director
|
Aldameer Association for Human Rights
Khalil Abu Shammala
General Director
|
|
The Palestinian Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions National Committee (BNC)
Ismat Quzma
Coordinator
|
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
Issam Younis
General Director
|
|
Badil Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights
Najwa Darwish
General Director
|
Defence for Children International
Palestine Section
Rifat Kassis
General Director
|
|
Ensan Center for Human Rights and Democracy
Shawqi Issa
General Director
|
Hurryyat - Centre for Defense of
Liberties and Civil Rights
Helmi Al-araj
General Director
|
|
Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights
Issam Aruri
General Director
|
Ramallah Center for Human Rights Studies
Iyad Barghouti
General Director
|
|
The Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network
Allam Jarrar
Steering Committee Member
Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling
Maha Abu Dayyeh
General Director
|
The Grassroots Palestinian Anti-Apartheid Wall Campaign
Jamal Jum’a
Coordinator
|
[2] http://www.addameer.org/files/Brochures/addameer-palestinian-political-prisoners-brochure-2010.pdf
[4]
Article 77 of the Fourth Geneva Convention prohibits the transfer of
prisoners from occupied territory to the occupying country.
[6] http://corporateoccupation.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/targeting-israeli-apartheid-jan-2012.pdf, p.135
[7] Ibid.
[9] http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:118611-2012:TEXT:EN:HTML&tabId=1 (registration required)
PALESTINIAN PRISONERS’ DAY – Take Action to call for Freedom for Palestinian Prisoners!
Background | Actions | Events Around the World | Act now: Write the ICRC
- Global Call to Action and Endorsers of Prisoners’ Day
- Download Factsheets for Prisoners’ Day
- Watch Prisoners’ Video Testimony
- Act now: Write the ICRC
- Palestinian Prisoners’ Day International Events
There are approximately 4,600 Palestinian political prisoners inside Israeli jails. Palestinians, living under occupation and oppression for nearly 64 years, have been targeted for mass imprisonment and detention by the Israeli occupation. Nearly every Palestinian family has been touched by political imprisonment – a father, mother, son, daughter, sister, brother, cousin, uncle, aunt – from the elderly to children.
Palestinian political prisoners are also political leaders. 27 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, including Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine General Secretary Ahmad Sa’adat, Fateh leader Marwan Barghouthi, and the Speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr. Abdel-Aziz Dweik, who represents Hamas, are held in Israeli prisons. Ameer Makhoul, one of the Palestinian prisoners who is also a citizen of Israel, was general director of Ittijah – The Union of Arab Community-Based Associations and the Chairman of the Public Committee for the Defense of Political Freedom.
Writers, scholars, students and artists are also Palestinian political prisoners, including Palestinian scholar Dr. Ahmed Qatamesh, who has now been held without trial or charge for nearly a year, Dr. Yousef Abdul Haq, a professor at An-Najah University whose administrative detention was just extended for an additional six months, and Ola Haniyeh, a student leader at Bir Zeit University and a leading political prisoner solidarity activist abducted just before student elections and currently held under interrogation.
We demand the immediate release of all Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. They have been targeted by an unfair and unequal legal system. Their imprisonment reflects Israel’s inherent system of injustice and racism. In addition, Israel must immediately halt its practices of:
- Administrative detention.
- Torture and ill-treatment of detainees.
- Solitary confinement and isolation.
- The use of military courts in the occupied Palestinian territory that illegally try civilians.
- Undermining a fair trial by using secret evidence against the accused.
- Arresting vulnerable groups, such as children, disabled, elderly and ill people.
1. Organize or attend an Event or Action marking Palestinian Prisoners’ Day! See below for events taking place around the world. No listed event in your city? Tell us about your local event here!
2. Write to the International Committee of the Red Cross to demand it fulfil its responsibilities to protect the rights of Palestinian political prisoners. Click here to email!
3. Learn more about the Karameh Hunger Strike launching April 17 and inform others that over 1600 Palestinian prisoners will launch a hunger strike on Tuesday.
4. Download, use and distribute the handouts and factsheets for Palestinian Prisoners’ Day! These factsheets are made for use in your community:
- Download General Palestinian Prisoners’ Day Factsheet (PDF)
- Download Palestinian Prisoners’ Day Call to Action and Karameh Strike Handout (PDF)
5. Watch and display the video testimony of former Palestinian prisoner, Dr. Abdul-Aziz Omar. This video is available in three lengths – 6 minutes, 15 minutes, and 40 minutes. Stream the videos here!
Palestinian Prisoners’ Day Events (Submit Your Event Here)
Toronto: Palestinian Prisoners’ Day – Perspectives on the current struggle
Tuesday, April 17
7:00 PM
Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham St., Toronto, ON
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/352427434794172/
April 17th is International Palestinian Prisoners Day. As of 1 March 2012, there were 4,637 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention centers, including 183 children. Just like Hana Shalabi and Khader Adnan, 320 prisoners are held–without charge or trial–under administrative detention. More details…
Speakers:
Ameena Sultan, Shaira Vadasaria, Issam Al Yamani
Vancouver: Rally and Speak-Out for Freedom for Palestinian Prisoners
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
CBC Building, 700 Hamilton St (Hamilton and Georgia), Vancouver
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/134719799989932/
Nearly 5,000 Palestinian political prisoners are held in jails in Israel, including 170 children and 6 women. 310 prisoners are held – without charge or trial – under administrative detention. Palestinian prisoners include over 20 lawmakers and national leaders, like Ahmad Sa’adat, Marwan Barghouthi and Aziz Dweik.
On April 17, 2012, Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, people around the world will respond to the call to take action for Palestinian political prisoners. In Vancouver, Join us on April 17 to support Palestinian prisoners, demand their freedom, and call for justice. More details…
Chicago: Hungry for Justice – Fast in Solidarity with Palestinian Political Prisoners
CAIR-Chicago Gallery
28 E. Jackson Blvd, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60604
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/301360836599124/
**Free and open to the public, but space at the venue is limited. To ensure a seat, please RSVP to chicagompr@gmail.com as soon as possible.**
Since 1974, April 17 has been commemorated annually as Palestinian Prisoners’ Day. Currently there are more than 4500 Palestinians in Israeli prisons and detention centers; nearly 200 of these prisoners are children. Just like Hana Shalabi and Khader Adnan, 320 prisoners are held – without charge or trial – under administrative detention. Here in Chicago, the Chicago Movement for Palestinian Rights (CMPR) is calling on people of conscience to fast from sunrise to sunset on April 17 in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners. According to latest reports from prisoner rights group Addameer, 8 prisoners are currently on hunger strike. More details…
Speaker: Bekah Wolf
Glasgow: March for the Karameh Hunger Strikers, March for Palestine
Tuesday, April 17 – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
George Square, Glasgow
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/353500491364265/
On Palestinian prisoners day, Tuesday 17th of April, the Palestinian prisoners movement will launch the Karamah (Dignity) hunger strike. The magnitude of the 1600 Palestinian prisoners embarking on the Karamah hunger strike must be met with a significant international response. This means mass mobilisations to question the impunity of the Israeli state and our own governments involvement. As the resistance of the prisoners escalates, our actions in turn must escalate. This demo is called for by ‘We Are All Hana Shalabi’. More details..
Brussels: Protest for Palestinian Prisoners
Palestinian Prisoners’ Day Events (Submit Your Event Here)
Toronto: Palestinian Prisoners’ Day – Perspectives on the current struggle
Tuesday, April 17
7:00 PM
Beit Zatoun, 612 Markham St., Toronto, ON
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/352427434794172/
April 17th is International Palestinian Prisoners Day. As of 1 March 2012, there were 4,637 Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention centers, including 183 children. Just like Hana Shalabi and Khader Adnan, 320 prisoners are held–without charge or trial–under administrative detention. More details…
Speakers:
Ameena Sultan, Shaira Vadasaria, Issam Al Yamani
Vancouver: Rally and Speak-Out for Freedom for Palestinian Prisoners
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
CBC Building, 700 Hamilton St (Hamilton and Georgia), Vancouver
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/134719799989932/
Nearly 5,000 Palestinian political prisoners are held in jails in Israel, including 170 children and 6 women. 310 prisoners are held – without charge or trial – under administrative detention. Palestinian prisoners include over 20 lawmakers and national leaders, like Ahmad Sa’adat, Marwan Barghouthi and Aziz Dweik.
On April 17, 2012, Palestinian Prisoners’ Day, people around the world will respond to the call to take action for Palestinian political prisoners. In Vancouver, Join us on April 17 to support Palestinian prisoners, demand their freedom, and call for justice. More details…
Chicago: Hungry for Justice – Fast in Solidarity with Palestinian Political Prisoners
Join CMPR for a community dinner and discussion with prisoner rights activist Bekah Wolf
Tuesday, April 17, 7:00pmCAIR-Chicago Gallery
28 E. Jackson Blvd, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60604
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/301360836599124/
Since 1974, April 17 has been commemorated annually as Palestinian Prisoners’ Day. Currently there are more than 4500 Palestinians in Israeli prisons and detention centers; nearly 200 of these prisoners are children. Just like Hana Shalabi and Khader Adnan, 320 prisoners are held – without charge or trial – under administrative detention. Here in Chicago, the Chicago Movement for Palestinian Rights (CMPR) is calling on people of conscience to fast from sunrise to sunset on April 17 in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners. According to latest reports from prisoner rights group Addameer, 8 prisoners are currently on hunger strike. More details…
Speaker: Bekah Wolf
Glasgow: March for the Karameh Hunger Strikers, March for Palestine
Tuesday, April 17 – 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
George Square, Glasgow
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/353500491364265/
On Palestinian prisoners day, Tuesday 17th of April, the Palestinian prisoners movement will launch the Karamah (Dignity) hunger strike. The magnitude of the 1600 Palestinian prisoners embarking on the Karamah hunger strike must be met with a significant international response. This means mass mobilisations to question the impunity of the Israeli state and our own governments involvement. As the resistance of the prisoners escalates, our actions in turn must escalate. This demo is called for by ‘We Are All Hana Shalabi’. More details..
Brussels: Protest for Palestinian Prisoners
- Manifestatie in Brussel
dinsdag 17 april 2012
12u00-14u00
Europese Commissie te Brussel (Schuman-Rotonde)
en een
- Solidariteitsavond
18 tot 22 uur
film (25 min.): “Libres dans la prison de Gaza”
Chris Den Hond en Mireille Court (2012)
Den Haag: Picket at Israeli Embassy
http://www.palestina-komitee.
The Hague, picket line at Israeli embassy, address: Buitenhof
Time: 12.30 – 13.30h
In Den Haag bij een picket van 12.30 – 13.30 uur bij de Israelische ambassade (Buitenhof).
The Hague, picket line at Israeli embassy, address: Buitenhof
Time: 12.30 – 13.30h
In Den Haag bij een picket van 12.30 – 13.30 uur bij de Israelische ambassade (Buitenhof).
Bradford: Day of Action and Education
Bradford United 4 Palestine will
be in Student Central at the University of Bradford, in Bradford City,
UK, all day, Tuesday, April 17, with information about Palestinian
Prisoners’ Day and the struggle of Palestinian prisoners.
Pisa: International Solidarity On the Day of the Palestinian Prisoner
Tuesday, April 17
7:00 pm
Via S. Lorenzo 38
Pisa, Italy
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/412627942097315/
The Initiative of International Solidarity for the Palestinian Prisoners will feature a talk by Shoukri Hroub of the Arab Palestinian Democratic Union (UDAP), as well as a brief overview of the intervention of the Mossad in some Latin American countries, including Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia and Guatemala.
This event is sponsored by UDAP-Tuscany, Collective April 25, BRISOP, and Cobas Confederation Pisa. More details…
Athens: Picket in Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners
There is a protest April 17, 2012 at the Israeli Embassy in Athens, Greece at 6:30 in solidarity with the Karama Hunger Strike and the Palestinian prisoners.
Dublin: Lunchtime Picket with Palestinian Prisoners
To mark Palestinian Prisoners’ Day 2012, on Tuesday 17th April from 1-2pm the IPSC will be holding a symbolic lunchtime demonstration outside EU House, Molesworth Street (Dublin 2) to highlight the European Union’s ongoing facilitation of Israel’s apartheid policies and war crimes – including the imprisonment of over 4,400 political prisoners.
Following the demo, activists will move to Grafton Street and conduct an information stall between 2.30 and 5.30pm, distributing information about Palestinian political prisoners. More details…
Sydney: International Day of Action for Palestinian Prisoners
Tuesday, April 17
6 pm – 8 pm
Sydney town Hall
Sydney, Australia
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/275990525816065/
Tuesday, April 17
7:00 pm
Via S. Lorenzo 38
Pisa, Italy
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/412627942097315/
The Initiative of International Solidarity for the Palestinian Prisoners will feature a talk by Shoukri Hroub of the Arab Palestinian Democratic Union (UDAP), as well as a brief overview of the intervention of the Mossad in some Latin American countries, including Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia and Guatemala.
This event is sponsored by UDAP-Tuscany, Collective April 25, BRISOP, and Cobas Confederation Pisa. More details…
Athens: Picket in Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners
There is a protest April 17, 2012 at the Israeli Embassy in Athens, Greece at 6:30 in solidarity with the Karama Hunger Strike and the Palestinian prisoners.
Dublin: Lunchtime Picket with Palestinian Prisoners
To mark Palestinian Prisoners’ Day 2012, on Tuesday 17th April from 1-2pm the IPSC will be holding a symbolic lunchtime demonstration outside EU House, Molesworth Street (Dublin 2) to highlight the European Union’s ongoing facilitation of Israel’s apartheid policies and war crimes – including the imprisonment of over 4,400 political prisoners.
Following the demo, activists will move to Grafton Street and conduct an information stall between 2.30 and 5.30pm, distributing information about Palestinian political prisoners. More details…
Sydney: International Day of Action for Palestinian Prisoners
Tuesday, April 17
6 pm – 8 pm
Sydney town Hall
Sydney, Australia
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/275990525816065/
Students for Justice in Palestine invites you to a rally from 6pm to 8pm onTuesday, April 17, on Palestine Prisoners’ Day.
Meet outside Sydney Town Hall. Our lips will be silenced with
tape, symbolising the purpose of ‘administrative detention’, which is to
silence Palestinian resistance against Israeli apartheid. More details…
Montreal: Sumoud – An Evening of Solidarity with Palestinian Prisoners
Thursday, April 196:30pm until 9:30pm
Concordia University Hall Building, Room H-110
1455 de Maisonneuve West Metro Guy-Concordia
Montreal, Quebec
Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/273290676089860/?ref=ts
Please join us for a panel discussion and screening to highlight prisoner struggles, affirm our support and stand in solidarity with Palestinian political prisoners. Featuring speakers: Issam Al-Yamani, Serin Atiani, and a screening of a video produced by Addameer, featuring an interview with Suha Barghouti, wife of Palestinian writer, scholar and political prisoner Ahmed Qatamesh. More details…
Action: Write to the ICRC!
Write to the International Committee of the Red Cross to demand they take action for Palestinian prisoners
Send an email to the International Committee of the Red Cross, urging the committee to take action for Palestinian prisoners and fulfil its responsibilities to Palestinian prisoners held in occupation jails.
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