Israel: UN Expert Calls For The Immediate Release Of Three Palestinian Detainees On Hunger Strike Held Without Charges
GENEVA (13 February 2013) – United Nations Special Rapporteur Richard Falk today called for the immediate release of
three Palestinian detainees held without charges by Israel. Mr. Falk expressed deep concern for the fate of Tarek
Qa’adan and Jafar Azzidine, who are on their 78th day of hunger strike, and Samer Al-Issawi, who has been on partial
hunger strike for over 200 days.
“Continuing to hold Mr. Qa’adan, Mr Azzidine and Mr. Al-Issawi under these conditions is inhumane. Israel is responsible
for any permanent harm,” warned the independent expert designated by the Human Rights Council to monitor and report on
Israeli rights violations in Palestine. “If Israeli officials cannot present evidence to support charges against these
men, then they must be released immediately.”
“Mr. Qa’adan and Mr. Azzidine are reportedly on the verge of death, with the threat of a fatal heart attack looming,”
the expert noted, recalling that both men were arrested on 22 November 2012 and began their hunger strikes on 28
November, after being sentenced to administrative detention for a period of three months. They were transferred to Assaf
Harofi Hospital near Tel Aviv on 24 January 2013 after their conditions deteriorated sharply.
This is the second time that Mr. Azzidine and Mr. Qa’adan have undertaken hunger strikes against administrative
detention, since they took part in the mass hunger strike of Palestinians from 17 April to 14 May 2012. Mr. Qa’adan had
been released after 15 months of detention on 8 July 2012 and Mr. Azzidine had been released on 19 June 2012 after three
months of detention, before being re-arrested.
“Israel must end the appalling and unlawful treatment of Palestinian detainees. The international community must react
with a sense of urgency and use whatever leverage it possesses to end Israel’s abusive reliance on administrative
detention,” urged the Special Rapporteur.
Mr. Falk noted that Israel currently holds at least 178 Palestinians in administrative detention.
--
In 2008, the UN Human Rights Council designated Richard Falk (United States of America) as the fifth Special Rapporteur
on the situation of human rights on Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. The mandate was originally established
in 1993 by the UN Commission on Human Rights. Learn more, log on to: http://www2.ohchr.org/english/countries/ps/mandate/index.htm
OHCHR Country Page – Occupied Palestinian Territories: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/countries/MENARegion/Pages/PSIndex.aspx
OHCHR Country Page – Israel: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Countries/MENARegion/Pages/ILIndex.aspx
UN Human Rights, follow us on social media:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/UNrightswire
Google+ gplus.to/unitednationshumanrights
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/UNOHCHR
Storify: http://storify.com/UNrightswire
Check the Universal Human Rights Index: http://uhri.ohchr.org/en
ENDS