Addameer: Concern mounts for three remaining hunger strikers

1 August 2012

Ramallah-Jaffa, 30 July 2012 — Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Al-Haq and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-IL) are gravely concerned for the life and health of the three remaining Palestinian hunger strikers held by Israel. Of utmost concern is the health and life of administrative detainees Samer Al-Barq, today on his 70^th day of renewed hunger strike, and Hassan Safadi who is on his 40^th day of renewed hunger strike. Samer, whose current strike follows his previous 28-day strike and whose health continues to deteriorate rapidly, is only taking salts and vitamins and he is still being held in isolation.

Following the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) denial of access of an independent doctor to the hunger strikers Samer, Hassan and prisoner Akram Rikhawi, PHR-IL submitted three appeals to the district court of Petah Tekva requesting immediate access to independent doctors. On 23 July, the district court ordered the IPS to allow an independent doctor to see Samer no later than 1 August and to see Hassan and Akram within two days of the hearing.

Despite prior coordination with the IPS regarding a PHR-IL doctor’s visit to Ramleh prison medical centre on 25 July to examine both Akram and Hassan, the IPS informed the doctor on her arrival that Hassan had been taken to a court hearing and therefore only Akram could be examined. In clear breach of the court order, the IPS still ignores PHR-IL requests to allow the independent doctor visit to Samer and Hassan.

Akram Rikhawi ended his hunger strike on 22 July after 102 days upon reaching an agreement with the IPS. According to the agreement Akram will be released on 25 January 2013 to his home in the Gaza Strip, which is six months prior to his original release date.

Following the visit to Akram, the PHR-IL doctor reported that though his general feeling has improved, he is still suffering from multiple conditions which have been left untreated. Akram’s asthma continues to be a cause for concern and is severely unstable despite treatment with steroids. The doctor also emphasized that asthma is a life-threatening illness that in the case of a severe attack could lead to death. Furthermore, the doctor also found that Akram suffers from unbalanced diabetes and recommended the renewal of his treatment which was stopped during the hunger strike

Akram also suffers from severe weakness in his left foot with a lack of full sensation in his left thigh. As his condition has not improved since ending the strike, this would indicate progressive motor and sensory damage to the left thigh. The PHR-IL doctor recommended Akram’s immediate referral to a public hospital in order to identify the etiology and to perform a full neurological investigation.

It should be noted that in the two previous visits of the PHR-IL doctors to Akram, on 6 June and 5July, both recommended further medical neurological investigation and warned of the danger of peripheral nerve damage. The doctors also recommended immediate examination by a lung specialist. To date, these recommendations have not been performed.

Hassan Safadi is on his 40^th day of renewed hunger strike, after previously spending 71 days on prolonged hunger strike. His last administrative detention order was due to expire on 29 June and, according to the agreement ending the Palestinian prisoners’ mass hunger strike, he was supposed to be released on that date. However on 21 June he was informed of the renewal of his administrative detention order for a further six months, in violation of the agreement.

According to PHR-IL lawyer Mohamad Mahagni following his visit to Hassan on 22 July, Hassan is currently being held in an isolated cell. Hassan has reported escalating pressure from the IPS to end his hunger strike. Hassan further noted that his court hearing on 25 July has been delayed again until 07 August, stressing that he is in no condition to travel 15 hours every time for the court hearings. He also reported suffering from kidney problems, sight problems, extreme weakness, severe weight loss, headaches, dizziness and has difficulty standing.

Today represents Ayman Sharawna’s 30^th day of hunger strike. 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 has been recently transferred to Ramleh prison medical center due to the deterioration in his health.

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 the right to a fair trial. Indeed, the denial of a fair trial constitutes a ‘grave breach’ of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Furthermore, the European Parliament called on Israel in a September 2008 resolution to “guarantee that minimum standards on detention be respected, to bring to trial all detainees, [and] to put an end to the use of ‘administrative detention orders”. The United Nations Human Rights Committee has stated several times that prolonged administrative detention is likely to result in the exposure of detainees to “torture, ill-treatment and other violations of human rights.”

In light of the further deterioration of the conditions of the remaining Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike, Addameer, Al-Haq and PHR-IL urge the international community to immediately intervene on their behalf and demand:

That the agreements reached on 14 and 15 May 2012 be respected, including the release of administrative detainees who were promised release at the end of their current orders, renewal of family visits and lifting of the punitive measures used against Palestinians in Israeli custody;
Unrestricted access for independent physicians to all hunger strikers;
The immediate transfer of Akram Rikhawi and Samer Al-Barq, as well as all other hunger strikers who have been striking to for more than 40 days to public hospitals;
That no hunger striker be shackled while hospitalized;
That all hunger strikers—especially those in advanced stages of hunger strike—be allowed family visits, while they are still lucid;
That all information regarding prisoners medical conditions be given to their families, in accordance with standards of medical ethics;
That Hassan Safadi, Samer Al-Barq and Omar Abo-Shalal along with all other administrative detainees, be immediately and unconditionally released;

Addameer: Hunger Strike Ends for Akram Rikhawi after 102 days

23 July 2012

Ramallah, 23 July 2012 – Following a visit today by Addameer lawyer Mona Nadaf, Addameer can confirm that Palestinian hunger striker Akram Rikhawi has ended his hunger strike after reaching an agreement with the Israeli Prison Service. Akram ended his hunger strike yesterday evening after 102 days.

As part of the agreement Akram will be released on 25^th January 2013, which is six months prior to his original release date. Addameer’s lawyer visited Akram in Ramleh prison, where he remains in critical condition. It was agreed that upon his release he will return to his home in the Gaza Strip.

Addameer’s lawyer also visited Hassan Safadi, who is on his 33^rd day of hunger strike. Hassan’s health continues to deteriorate with recent tests indicating that he has developed kidney stones as a result of his hunger strike. He remains extremely weak and is currently taking only water and vitamins.

Ayman Sharawna: 16 days of hunger strike in occupation prisons

16 July 2012

Ayman Sharawna, a Palestinian prisoner released in October 2011 in the prisoner exchange and the first such former prisoner re-arrested (on January 31, 2012) has launched an open hunger strike inside the occupation prisons. He has been held with no charges for nearly six months after his abduction in a nighttime military raid on his village of Dura, near al-Khalil (Hebron.)

Addameer confirmed today that Sharawna launched an open hunger strike on July 1 and is now on his 16th day of hunger strike. Addameer lawyer Khaled al-Araj saw Ayman in a secret hearing at Ofer prison.

Ayman Sharawna is currently being held in solitary confinement in Ramon prison. Addameer noted that more information would soon be forthcoming about Ayman’s case.

Saber Abu Karsh, director of the Waed Association, speaking to the Palestine Information Centre about this case, said earlier that “the Israeli occupation is still practicing its crimes against our people and our prisoners and continues violating agreements with the prisoners where it re-arrested ex-detainees who were freed in Wafa al-Ahrar deal as well as delaying prisoners’ families’ visits and isolating prisoners.”

95 Days of Hunger Strike: Act Now to Save Akram al-Rikhawi’s life!

15 July 2012

Akram al-Rikhawi has now been on hunger strike for 95 days. He is the longest serving hunger striker anywhere in the world. He is suffering from numerous medical conditions, including diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, glaucoma, kidney problems and immune deficiency. Addameer reports that “Prior to his arrest, Akram received injections of Kenacort to treat his asthma, but following his arrest, the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) did not allow Akram to take this injection. Instead, it was replaced with injections of cortisone, which is most likely the cause of severe complications, resulting in additional chronic illnesses such as diabetes and osteoporosis, from which Akram now suffers.” Take action today to call for the immediate release of Akram al-Rikhawi!

Akram began his hunger strike on April 12 of this year to demand his early release due to his heath circumstances. He also has eight children, and he and his wife are also responsible for the care of the five children of his late brother. Despite his severe health circumstances and his difficult family and economic straits and responsibility for 13 children, his appeals for early release in 2012 and on June 5, 2012 were both rejected.

He did not stop his hunger strike on May 14 at the time of the agreement between prisoners and the Israel Prison Services because his unique circumstances were not addressed – namely, early release on medical grounds. Physicians for Human Rights were denied access to Akram for nearly two months, until June 6. He has lost 26.5% of his body weight – and was already very unhealthy. Akram has been refusing medical examinations since mid-May – and in response, the cortisone injections have only increased. PHR has stated that he must be transferred immediately to a civilian hospital in order to receive proper medical care, and filed suit to demand he be transferred – which was denied by an Israeli District Court on June 14. Since June 16, he has been refusing supplements and other forms of artificial nourishment that the Israeli prison hospital has attempted to impose on him.

He has now been on hunger strike for 95 days. He is in severe danger. International action is urgently needed to save his life! It is urgent that we act now to free Akram Rikhawi and secure his much-needed medical care.

Akram al-Rikhawi is not the only Palestinian prisoner currently on hunger strike:

Samer al-Barq has now been on hunger strike since May 22, for 55 days, protesting Israeli violations of the agreement with the prisoners – after his own administrative detention, rather than expiring as agreed by the Israelis at the end of the strike, was renewed for an additional three months. Samer al-Barq is now on hunger strike until his release is secured.
Hassan Safadi, a long-term hunger striker who had been striking for 71 days at the time the May 14 agreement was concluded, had his administrative detention order renewed by the Israelis on June 21, despite the explicit agreement that the long-term hunger strikers such as Safadi serving in administrative detention without charge or trial would not have those orders renewed. Safadi is now on his 25th day of hunger strike and plans to continue until he is released.

The Israeli Prison Services have continued to violate the May 14 agreement in numerous ways – Dirar Abu Sisi remains in solitary confinement and another prisoner was recently moved to isolation. Although family visits to Gaza prisoners have now been announced, they will be “experimental,” apply only to 25 of the 479 prisoners and will exclude prisoners’ children from visits.

After his 96-day hunger strike, Palestinian soccer star Mahmoud Sarsak returned on July 10 to his home in Gaza to a hero’s welcome. It is urgent that we act now for all Palestinian prisoners to return to their families and homes like Sarsak. Administrative detention, mass roundups, and military trials are continuing in Palestine. 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 Akram Rikhawi, Samer al-Barq and Hassan Safadi immediately to hospitals and release them. Tell the Israeli Prison Services that the world is watching! Click here to sign.

2. Sign this letter, circulated by UFREE, to members of the European Parliament and demand action to save the life of Akram Rikhawi.

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. (The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign has great materials, available at http://www.ipsc.ie/the-issues/factsheets)

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.

Some family visits to begin for only 25 Gaza prisoners

15 July 2012

Ma’an News reported on Saturday, July 14 that, once again showing their violations of the May 14 agreement to end the mass hunger strike, the Israeli prison service will only now begin allowing families of Gaza prisoners to visit (a key demand of the strike recognized in the agreement), but only for 25 prisoners and on a “limited”, “experimental” basis:

RAMALLAH (Ma’an) — The Palestinian Authority prisoners minister said Saturday that the Israeli Prison Service will allow the families of 25 Gaza prisoners to visit their loved ones in jail on an “experimental basis.”

Issa Qaraqe said the families will be able to visit starting July 16 but will be limited. There is still some opposition to letting Gaza’s 473 prisoners receive visits, he said.

Some of the limitations put in place include a ban on children while the Rimon prison is not allowed visitors at all, the official said, calling Israel’s policy toward detainees “collective punishment.”

Israel started limiting what it considers privileges for Hamas and Gaza prisoners in a bid to put pressure on Hamas to release Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who was held in Gaza until last fall.

The visitors issue was one of the key demands of the hundreds of prisoners who went on a hunger strike in the spring.

In a deal to end the strike, Israeli authorities agreed to allow limited personal visits.

Longest serving administrative detainee to be released July 15

15 July 2012

Ma’an News reported that Adnan Asfur will be freed on Sunday, July 15:

The longest serving Palestinian prisoner being held under administrative detention is set to be released on Sunday, a prisoners center said.

Adnan Asfur, 50, has been held by Israeli authorities for over three years without being charged for a crime, director of Ahrar center for prisoners Fuad al-Khafsh said Saturday.

Asfur, from Nablus, was detained on March 9, 2009, and has been imprisoned for a total of six years during his life, having been arrested by Israeli forces on 16 separate occasions.

He participated in a mass hunger strike campaign by prisoners in April, when nearly 2,000 Palestinians in Israeli jails refused to eat in protest against prison conditions and administrative detention, al-Khafsh added.

Under Israel’s administrative detention policy, prisoners can be held without formal charges for renewable periods of six months. Defendants and their lawyers are not given access to the evidence used to imprison them.

There are at least 300 people, including 22 members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, currently being held under administrative detention, according to Addameer prisoners group.

Mandela foundation calls for international inquiry into Israeli prisons

15 July 2012

Ma’an reported that The Nelson Mandela Foundation for Political Prisoners called on Saturday for an international inquiry into the situation in Israeli prisons and for an international conference about prisoners.

Speaking in Amman, Jordan in testimony to a UN committee to investigate Israeli violations of human rights in the prisons, head of the Ramallah-based foundation Buthaina Duqmaq said Israel wanted to “isolate” detainees from the rest of the world.

Duqmaq called on the international community to intervene, saying there had been no mentionable improvement to the situation, according to a press statement from the foundation.

She said Israeli authorities were still committing violations against prisoners even after their hunger strikes, and presented testimony and letters from prisoners as evidence.

Duqmaq said there are more than 1,200 families unable to visit their loved ones, while prisoners from Gaza are the more isolated due to sanctions placed on them in a bid to speed up the release of an Israeli soldier.

She called on the secretary-general of the UN to hold an urgent conference on the matter.

Child prisoners mistreated in Hasharon prison

15 July 2012

The Palestinian Information Centre reported ongoing mistreatment of child prisoners in HaSharon prison:

The administration of the Israeli Hasharon jail has forced Palestinian minors to stand in the sun heat for three hours at the pretext of searching their rooms.

Amjad Siraj, who is representing those minors, told a lawyer for the Palestinian prisoner’s society that the incident took place three days ago and that the rooms were turned upside-down in the savage search by the Israeli Nahshon unit members.

Siraj said that the conditions in the Israeli jails, as far as minors were concerned, did not change, adding that the prison administration only responded to a number of simple requests.

He said that the Nahshon unit members rummaged through the minors’ ward and forced minors to strip search.

Addameer: Hunger strikes continue for Akram Rikhawi, Samer Al-Barq and Hassan Safadi

12 July 2012

Ramallah, 12 July 2012 – Due to the Israeli Prison Service’s restrictions on access for lawyers and independent doctors, it is very difficult to ascertain confirmed updates on the status of current hunger strikers Akram Rikhawi, Samer Al-Barq and Hassan Safadi. Addameer has spoken to the families of the three hunger strikers who have confirmed that all three remain committed to their hunger strikes.

Akram Rikhawi is today on his 92^nd day of hunger strike, making him the second Palestinian prisoner in history to reach this stage of hunger strike. According to Akram’s wife after speaking to Mahmoud Sarsak, Palestinian footballer who was released on 10 July following his own 92-day hunger strike, Akram is being held in solitary confinement in Ramleh prison medical clinic. Akram’s health continues to deteriorate and he reportedly had difficulty moving his leg and arm during a visit with a lawyer yesterday.

Administrative detainee Samer Al-Barq is on his 52^nd day of renewed hunger strike today, following his 30-day strike as part of Palestinian prisoner’s mass hunger strike. His father is deeply frustrated by the lack of access to updates on his current condition.

Administrative detainee Hassan Safadi is on his 22^nd day of renewed hunger strike today, following his 71-day hunger strike, during which he experienced being forcefully given treatment by a prison doctor. Following a meeting today, the Israeli military prosecutor and intelligence representative have yet to make a decision regarding his release, which was explicitly included in the agreement ending the mass hunger strike. Mahmoud Sarsak indicated to Hassan’s family that Hassan stopped drinking water two days ago.

Addameer will continue to provide updated information as it is available and urges action on behalf of all three hunger strikers.

DCI: Urgent Appeal for Children in Solitary Confinement

12 July 2012

The following urgent appeal comes from Defence for Children International – Palestine:

Today, DCI re-released an Urgent Appeal calling for an end to the practice of placing Palestinian children in solitary confinement. DCI first issued the appeal in January after documenting 50 cases of children who reported being held in isolation in Israeli detention facilities since 2008. In June, DCI documented 3 new cases of children who report being held in isolation for between 5 and 12 days. The practice of holding children in solitary confinement has been widely criticised and according to both the UN and leading UK lawyers, may amount to torture.

In the most recent cases, one boy reports being held in solitary confinement for 5 days as punishment for going on hunger strike, whilst another boy was placed in isolation for 7 days for hanging a Palestinian flag in his cell. In the third case, a boy describes being held for 12 days in a windowless cell in “Cell No 36”, at the Al Jalame interrogation centre near Haifa.

Recommended action
Please send Urgent Appeals recommending the following:
1. The practice of using solitary confinement on children in Israeli detention facilities must be stopped
immediately;
2. That all relevant Israeli civilian and military laws and regulations be amended to ensure there is a
legally binding and enforceable prohibition on the use of solitary confinement on children held in
Israeli custody; and
3. Every detention facility, including Al Jalame and Petah Tikva, must be opened up to unbiased external
inspection, and inspectors must be given free access to any part of the facility at anytime.

Appeals to:

your elected representatives; and
The Israeli embassy in your country [list of Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide].

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