Mohammed al-Qeeq, former hunger striker and Palestinian journalist, released from Israeli prison

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Palestinian journalist and former hunger striker Mohammed al-Qeeq was freed from Israeli prison on Thursday, 19 May. Al-Qeeq had been held in administrative detention without charge or trial, and engaged in a 94-day hunger strike demanding his release. His strike drew widespread Palestinian and international attention, and highlighted the issue of administrative detention and the imprisonment of Palestinian journalists.

qeeq-free6Al-Qeeq, 33, was welcomed back to Ramallah by his wife, Fayha Shalash – a fellow Palestinian journalist who was an international spokesperson for his case – and children. A rally celebrating Al-Qeeq’s release included greetings from former prisoners and long-term hunger strikers Khader Adnan and Ayman al-Tabeesh, as well as freed 12-year-old former child prisoner Dima al-Wawi.

Al-Qeeq’s imprisonment, which lasted for six months, highlighted the detention of Palestinian journalists by the Israeli occupation. Currently detained Palestinian journalists include Omar Nazzal, member of the general secretariat of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, Sami al-Saee, and Samah Dweik. Al-Saee and Dweik were both targeted for their social media postings.

There are currently approximately 750 Palestinians imprisoned without charge or trial under administrative detention. Sami Janazrah, Fouad Assi and Adib Mafarjah, three Palestinian administrative detainees, are currently engaged in long-term hunger strikes demanding their freedom.

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Samidoun congratulates Mohammed al-Qeeq on his release, salutes him for his steadfastness, and urges an immediate end to the policy of administrative detention, an end to the imprisonment of Palestinian journalists, and freedom for Sami Janazrah, Fouad Assi, Adib Mafarjah, and all Palestinian prisoners.

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