July 12, 20120 comments
Press Release
Ministry of Detainees’ Affairs
Gaza Minister of Detainees' Affairs Dr. Atallah AbuSebah congratulates the Palestinian people on the release of prisoner
Mahmoud Sarsak after his 96-day hunger strike. "Releasing him represents another new victory against the Zionist jailer
and his oppressive policy inside the prisons. It is also a victory against the "Unlawful Combatant Law" under which
Sarsak was detained in prison."
One victory after another
AbuSebah said that the prisoner Sarsak endured the hunger strike with strength, determination, challenge and a steely
decision. Sarsak forced the jailers to meet all his demands. The prison management failed in oppressing him or
marginalizing his cause. He added, "The steadfastness of Sarsak over this period of time is another addition to the
sacrifices of the prisoners' movement inside Israeli jails, and another legend is added to the series of hero prisoners
who went through continual battles against the management of the jails to gain their rights. This is proof that the
battle against the Israeli occupation is ongoing, and will not stop."
The Minister said that the prisoners are still suffering disastrous conditions, and the occupation continues to commit
violations against them. He also said that the Israeli occupation is stalling on applying the Al Karameh Agreement
signed between the Israeli occupation and High Committee of Leadership of the Hunger Strike, and brokered by Egypt. He
noted that families in the Gaza Strip are still prevented from visiting their relatives in Israeli jails, and the
engineer prisoner Dirar Abu Sisi is still being held in solitary confinement. The Israeli occupation continues its
policy of administrative detention, and does not provide adequate medical treatment to prisoners.
AbuSebah called on all in the international community who defend human freedom, as well as the International Committee
of the Red Cross, to stand by the Palestinian prisoners suffering injustice and oppression and not to treat them as if
they are just numbers, saying they must continue to put pressure on the Israeli occupation to release all the prisoners,
especially those who are sick and daily face a slow death.
ENDS