RAMALLAH: A group of Palestinian and Israeli NGOs released a joint press release on Wednesday, calling on Israel to “respect hunger strikers' rights." Two Palestinian organizations, Al-Haq and Addameer Prisoner Support Network, and Israeli Physicians for Human Rights demanded the international community to put pressure on Israel to ensure it does not violate the human rights of the four Palestinian prisoners presently going without food. There are presently four Palestinian prisoners on long-term hunger strike: Samer Al-Issawi, who has reached 213 days, along with Tarak Qa'adan and Jafar Ezzedine, who have surpassed the 80 day mark. Ayman Sharawna, another former hunger striker who went six months without food last summer, is also on hunger strike again, though it is not clear when he restarted. All four of the men are administrative detainees, being held in Israeli lockup on “secret evidence" with neither charge nor trial. According to Addameer Prisoner Support Network, at least 188 Palestinians are currently imprisoned in administrative detention, though the practice flies in the face of jurisprudence. “Israel's widespread practice of administrative detention constitutes a serious breach of international humanitarian and human rights law. While administrative detention is allowed under international humanitarian law, it must be used only under exceptional circumstances as it infringes upon basic human rights, including right to a fair trial," the press release states. “There are currently 178 Palestinians being held under administrative detention orders, including five democratically elected Palestinian Legislative Council members." It adds that Israel has banned the hunger strikers from receiving family visits, access to the lawyers of their choice, and treatment by independent physicians. Furthermore, each of the prisoners is being held in isolation and has been “subjected to other forms of ill-treatment and intimidation. These include beatings, almost-daily cell and body searches and shackling to hospital beds. In addition, the IPS has confiscated all personal material belonging to the prisoners." There are presently 4,734 Palestinians in Israeli prisons. 193 of them are children, 23 of which are under 16-years-old. 12 are Palestinian Legislative Council members. 10 are females. “Addameer, Al-Haq and PHR-Israel demand that all hunger-striking prisoners are transferred to civilian hospitals immediately, where they should receive adequate medical care without being shackled. The shackling of hunger-striking prisoners in civilian hospitals is in violation of medical ethics as well as the guidelines of the Israeli Ministry of Health, the Israeli Medical Association, and the IPS. In addition, family visits, along with regular access to independent medical care and lawyers should be fully reinstated." BN
