The London Palestinian Prisoners Campaign Group will hold its next fortnightly protest on Saturday, September 15 from 4-6PM outside the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) – KING CHARLES STREET/PARLIAMENT STREET (CLOSEST TUBE – WESTMINSTER TUBE STATION). More information on Facebook:
Previous protest photos are here.
‘Protest in solidarity with Palestinian child prisoners & hunger strikers
Join us on Saturday 15th September 2012 at 4pm outside the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) to demand the FCO act on the findings of the report by the delegation of British lawyers on the treatment of Palestinian children under Israeli military law which the FCO commissioned.
The report published in June 2012, even with its narrow remit, concluded that Israel is in breach of articles 2, 3, 37(b), 37(c), and 37(d) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). The manner of arrest and detention of children amounts to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment which is prohibited in article 37(a) of the UNCRC, and its routine holding of children in solitary confinement for substantial periods of time amounts to torture.
So far the FCO has ignored the report and continues to do business with Israel as normal.
Israel currently holds 220 Palestinian children in its dungeons. There is widespread evidence of routine sexual assaults by interrogators on children who are shackled. They are threatened with rape or sodomy with an object in order to coerce false confessions and coerce them in to becoming informers on their families.
We are calling on the government to sanction Israel to release all the children and returned them to their families.
We will also be visiting the headquarters of the British Red Cross to hand a letter demanding it uphold its responsibilities to Palestinian prisoners and to act to save the lives of hunger strikers Samer al-Barq, Hassan Safadi and Ayman Sharawna.
A new Palestinian prisoner joined Hunger Strike battle on September 1st, 2012, sources reported on Saturday, September 8, 2012, as his first week of hunger strike concluded. Palestinian Prisoner Ashraf Abu Huwaij on his day 8 of Hunger Strike.
Ashraf Abu Huwaij, from Ramallah, was arrested in 2001 and sentenced 20 years in jail.
LONDON, (PIC)–The Arab Organization for Human Rights (AOHR) in Britain said that the Jordanian intelligence handed the prisoner Samer Barq over to the Israeli authorities more than two years ago.
AOHR said, in its statement on Thursday, the Jordanian prisoner Samer Barq, who has been on hunger strike for more than 100 days now, was arrested in Pakistan by the American forces in 2002 where he spent one year in American prisons. He was then handed over to the Jordanian authorities in 2003 where he was subjected to severe torture for five years for alleged terrorism charges.
The statement added that he was released and began practicing his normal life where he began working in a medical laboratory, however in 2010 and suddenly the Jordanian intelligence arrested him without charge, and during his time in Jordanian prisons no one could see or visit him.
On 11 July 2010 Samer was brought by Jordanian intelligence to Allenby Bridge, the border crossing between Jordan and the occupied Palestinian territory, where he was handed over to Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF). Samer was then taken to Ofer Prison, near Ramallah, where an Israeli military court issued him with an administrative detention order. As a result, Samer has been without trial or charge based on “secret evidence”.
Since Samer’s arrest on 11 July 2010, he has received 7 administrative detention orders. The continued use of administrative detention against Samer forced him to launch a hunger strike two years after his arrest. Barq has been on hunger strike for the past 108 days, causing him serious health deterioration.
The organization confirmed that the Jordanian government had handed one of its citizens over to the occupation authorities in total violation of the Jordanian constitution, which prohibits handing over Jordanian citizens. Handing Barq to Israeli occupation is also considered a serious breach of the international agreements that criminalize surrendering people to countries that practice torture systematically.
AOHR held the Israeli and Jordanian governments fully responsible for the life of the captive Samer Barq, calling on the Jordanian government to reconsider its serious mistake through demanding Barq’s release.
The organization also sent urgent letters to the European Commissioner for External Relations and to officials in the Arab Republic of Egypt “to contact both the Jordanian and Israeli governments to save the hunger striker Samer Barq’s life.”
An Israeli military court is expected to issue a ruling on the ongoing administrative detention of hunger striking Palestinian prisoner Samer al-Barq on Sunday September 9, said Jawad Boulos, director of the Legal Unit of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club. Al-Barq has now been on hunger strike for 111 consecutive days.
The Ofer occupation military court is also overdue on a decision on the administrative detention of hunger striking prisoner Hassan Safadi, who is now on hunger strike for 81 days after an earlier 71 day hunger strike.
Addameer and Physicians for Human Rights warned of an immediate danger to the lives of Al-Barq and Safadi a week ago. Safadi’s administrative detention order expired on August 29.
Al-Barq has been medically unable to attend the hearings on his case, and the prison doctor has confirmed his dangerous medical condition and drastic weight loss.
Shahd Abusalama, a Palestinian writer conducted the following interview with al-Barq’s father:
The administrative detention of Palestinian writer and thinker Ahmed Qatamesh was renewed for a fourth time on September 5, 2012 by an occupation military court. Qatamesh was arrested on April 21, 2011 and his detention has been extended four times to date.
This is not his first time in Israeli jails – he was arrested in 1992 and held for 100 days under severe torture, an experience detailed in his memoir, “I Shall Not Wear Your Tarboush.” When no incriminating evidence or confession was forthcoming, Qatamesh was placed in administrative detention without charge or trial, renewed repeatedly for nearly six years until his release in 1998. He is one of the longest-held Palestinian prisoners in administrative detention.
Amnesty International, which also denounced his earlier detention in the mid-1990s, recognizes Ahmed Qatamesh as a prisoner of conscience and calls for his release:
Londoners protested outside the Israeli Embassy on Saturday 1st September 2012 demanding freedom for all Palestinian political prisoners as the Palestinian Prisoners Society reported that the clinic at Ramla Prison is withholding needed medication from Palestinian prisoner Ayman Sharawna, on hunger strike for 63 days, until he agrees to end his hunger strike.
Dozens of protesters picket the approach to the Israeli Embassy (red building – flag visible near centre of photo) which is on a private road.
Three hunger strikers – Hassan Safadi – 144 days, Samer Al-Barq – 133 days, and Ayman Sharawna – 62 days
Prison guards again attacked Hassan and Samer smashing Hassan’s head on the iron doors of the cell repeatedly until he was unconscious on the floor..
Around two dozen activists picketed the entrance to the private road which houses the Israeli Embassy in Kensington High Street. Their banner read “Free All Palestinian Political Prisoners” and they had placards around their necks dedicated to the remaining three hunger strikers – Samer al-Barq, Hassan Safadi, and Ayman Sharawna who are in critical condition, demanding their immediate freedom.
All three have been imprisoned under Israel’s infamous ‘administrative detention’ which means they have not been charged with anything and there is no trial and yet they have been locked up indefinitely on a rolling 6 month prison sentence.
Hassan Safadi and Samer al-Barq are both on renewed hunger strikes after Israel broke its deal to release them. They had previously already been on hunger strike for 71 and 30 days. Now Sameer has been on a renewed hunger strike from May 22 – a total of 133 days, and Hassan a total of 144 days.
Both men are in critical condition, barely able to stand and use wheelchairs for their daily needs. Amnesty has reported that even at the Medical Centre of the Israel Prison Service Samer and Hassan are being repeatedly beaten and abused.
The public were very sympathetic to the campaign with 100s of leaflets being given out in two hours. People seen eager to read even the small print on the leaflets.
Ayman Sharawna has been on hunger strike 63 days – since 1st July. Ayman was released as part of the prisoner exchange deal in October 2011, only to be re-arrested on 31 January 2012. No charges have been filed against him. Ayman was being held in solitary confinement in Rimon prison before being transferred to Ramleh prison medical center due to the deterioration in his health.
Two weeks ago (on Thursday 16th August) that the prison guards again attacked Hassan and Samer smashing Hassan’s head on the iron doors of the cell repeatedly until he was unconscious on the floor, they then dragged both prisoners to an isolation cell without any mattresses. To protest this inhuman and degrading treatment Hassan Safadi has announced that he will no longer be drinking water.
Israeli doctors are withholding Ayman’s needed injections until he agrees to end his hunger strike, using the denial of medicine as a weapon against the prisoners. The pain is so severe that he has been unable to stand on his own since the middle of August.
According to latest news released by Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association just yesterday (2 Sept 2012) doctors informed the prisoners that their “lives were under immediate threat”. Samer is now too weak to even get out of bed. Suffering extreme fatigue Hassan falls unconscious 2-3 times each day. Due to slow heart rate and severe potassium deficiency, Hassan was taken to Assaf Harofeh where tests revealed that his immunity level has fallen dangerously low; there is fluid in his lungs; and he has developed problems in his liver and kidneys. Even in this condition Hassan was shackled by all four limbs to the hospital bed with four soldiers left in the room to taunt him.
Prison doctors have informed Ayman that his life is also at risk. In addition to very low immunity levels and cirrhosis in his liver, he suffers from terrible joint pain and back pain from previous chronic conditions. The Israeli Prison Service doctors are withholding his needed injections until he agrees to end his hunger strike, using the denial of medicine as a weapon against the prisoners. The pain is so severe that he has been unable to stand on his own since the middle of August. Ayman is experiencing constant vertigo, severe headaches, high blood pressure and extreme weight loss of about 28 kilos from his original weight.
Palestinian flags calling for a boycott of Israel were also unfurled during the protest, the boycott being a practical method everyone can use to exert pressure on Israel. Hundreds of leaflets were given out to a very sympathetic public. Some approached us asking if they could take a boycott Israel flag to hang at home.
As with the last protest outside the Israeli Embassy the police took keen interest. At different stages we were approached by three different police teams and private security in charge of the Kensington Palace Gardens for the Crowne Estate which owns the road the Embassy is on. The private security wanted us some distance on the other side of the road away from the Embassy which we refused on principle. The police having a better understanding of the law allowed us to stay at the mouth of the private road in sight of the embassy. Later armed police from outside the embassy approached us to ask questions, despite their big guns and side arms they were polite. Near the end of the protest another officer turned up to ask the same questions. With Israels atrocious record of illegal occupation, ethnic cleansing, massacring civilians and murdering Palestinian children none of the police teams were surprised by the protest but were just there to ask routine questions.
The protest was the second one organised by the Palestinian Prisoners Campaign Group which was launched on the occasion of Al Quds Day this year (17 August 2012). The next action will be in a fortnight (14-16th Sept),see the campaign page for more information closer to the date.
Solidarity Hunger Strike with Palestinian Detainees!
Friday, Sept. 7, 2012
9:00 AM
American University Quad, American University, Washington, DC
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/304594476314407/
Organized by American University Students for Justice in Palestine
Whereas Palestinian political prisoners Samer al-Barq is on day 106 of his hunger strike against his detention
Whereas Hassan Safadi is on day 76
Whereas Ayman Sharawna is on day 66
Whereas none of these prisoners have been charged with any crime or have received any trial in Israeli courts
Whereas the continued use of administrative detention is in direct violation of the agreement signed by Israel with Palestinian prisoners this May
Whereas Palestinian detainees are routinely tortured by Israeli prison officials until they confess to crimes they did not commit
Whereas Palestinians are found guilty in 99.74% of cases brought against them in Israeli military tribunals
American University Students for Justice in Palestine calls on AU students to begin an open ended hunger strike until there is justice for the hunger striking detainees
Samer Abu Seir, a freed former prisoner from Jerusalem who was displaced to Gaza in the October 2011 prisoner exchange, discussed plans of the prisoners’ movement inside Israeli jails on September 2, 2012. The movement, he reported, is seriously considering escalating steps of struggle if the Israeli Prison Service does not respond to prisoners’ demands to end isolation for Awad Saidi and Dirar Abu Sisi, and allow family visits for all of the prisoners from Gaza rather than an arbitrary few.
Abu Seir pointed out that among the issues prompting the prisoners’ action has been the prohibition of visits by children of prisoners from Gaza, and the reduction of the length of family visits.
Abu Seir also confirmed that prisoners continue to suffer from harassment, nighttime inspections and frequent financial inspections that drain their canteen (prison financial accounts.) He noted that the prisoners inside Israeli jails expect that Palestinian political forces, official bodies and popular institutions will stand up for the prisoners as a responsibility and support the prisoners’ struggle with pressure and solidarity.
Samer Issawi, a Palestinian prisoner initially released in the October 2011 prisoner exchange, now faces a return to nearly a life sentence in a case that illustrates Israeli hypocrisy around Jerusalem. Palestinian writer Ma’ath Musleh has provided an excellent account of this important case:
Samer al-Barq has now been on hunger strike for 105 days, in addition to 30 days prior on hunger strike with the mass prisoners’ hunger strike in April-May 2012, and is now the longest serving hunger striker anywhere in the world, having taken over this title from fellow Palestinian prisoner Akram Rikhawi.
All three men are protesting the Israeli violations of the May 14 agreement (and prior agreements) between the prisoners’ movement and the Israel Prison Services. One of the provisions of that agreement was that current prisoners held under administrative detention would not have their detention renewed, and that long-term hunger strikers like Safadi’s detention would particularly not be renewed. However, on May 21 – only one week after the agreement – al-Barq‘s administrative detention order was renewed and he relaunched his hunger strike. He was joined by Safadi on June 21, when his own administrative detention order was renewed.
Ayman Sharawna, on the other hand, was released in October 2011 as part of the large prisoner exchange agreement. However, he was re-arrested shortly thereafter, in January 2012, and has been held without charge since that time. He launched his own hunger strike on July 1, the six month anniversary of his arrest.
Urgent action is needed to protect the lives of these Palestinian prisoners. They have been held together in an isolation cell that is 1.8 meters by 1.5 meters and no room for a wheelchair, and are currently shackled hand and foot to their hospital beds, even as their doctors report severe health threats to their lives. It is urgent that we act now to free Samer, Hassan and Ayman and secure them much-needed health care.
Woroud Qasem recently returned home from prison and spoke for the first time in public. It is urgent that we act now for all Palestinian prisoners to return to their families and homes! Palestinians are organizing a week of action in Gaza to demand freedom for these men – and all of the Palestinian prisoners held in the jails of the occupation for their resistance to apartheid, occupation and oppression and their commitment to free their land and people. International solidarity and action is needed to hold the occupation accountable for its ongoing imprisonment and abuse of the people of Palestine.
TAKE ACTION!
1. Sign a letter demanding the Israeli state transfer Samer al-Barq, Hassan Safadi and Ayman Sharawna immediately to hospitals and release them. Tell the Israeli Prison Services that the world is watching! Click here to sign.
2. Sign a letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross and demand it uphold its responsibilities to Palestinian prisoners and act to save the lives of Samer al-Barq, Hassan Safadi and Ayman Sharawna. Click here to sign.
3. Join a protest or demonstration outside an Israeli consulate for Palestinian prisoners. Many groups and organizations are holding events – join one or announce your own. Organizing an event, action or forum on Palestinian prisoners on your city or campus? Use this form to contact us and we will post the event widely. If you need suggestions, materials or speakers for your event, please contact us at samidoun@samidoun.net.
4. Contact your government officials and demand an end to international silence and complicity with the repression of Palestinian political prisoners. In Canada, Call the office of John Baird, Foreign Minister, and demand an end to Canadian support for Israel and justice for Palestinian prisoners, at : 613-990-7720; Email: bairdj@parl.gc.ca. In the US, call the office of Elizabeth Jones, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs (1.202.647.7209). Demand that Elizabeth Jones bring this issue urgently to his counterparts in Israel.
5. Join in the call for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. Boycott Israeli products, and academic and cultural institutions until all Palestinian rights (including the right of refugees to return, to be free from occupation and for full equality) are fulfilled – including freeing the thousands of Palestinian prisoners behind bars.
The London Palestinian Prisoners Campaign Group will hold its next fortnightly protest on Saturday, September 15 from 4-6PM outside the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) – KING CHARLES STREET/PARLIAMENT STREET (CLOSEST TUBE – WESTMINSTER TUBE STATION). More information on Facebook:
