UFree Network: Palestinian Prisoners' Solidarity month continues
UFree Network to defend the rights of Palestinian prisoners along with Yousef AlSedeeq for prisoners' protection
institute launched a number of activities to support Palestinian prisoners. The events come as part of “April, the
Solidarity Month” announced by UFree Network earlier this month.
According to UFree, a number of events have been staged early in April like pickets in protest of Masyara Abu Hamdiya’s
death who was murdered by Israel due to lack of medical care. Earlier, protests took place in front of Israeli jails
like Majdo prison facility when Arefat jardat was killed under torture. UFree with its partners carried out some events
in the second week of April like pickets in Haifa University.
On Sunday, 21st April 2013, a public event was held in Ara villages. The event titled “Flares of Light” was attended by
a number of Palestinians who chanted and sang for freedom for prisoners and called for an end to torture and humiliation
targeting them.
Another event was staged in the Naqab desert to celebrate the newly-freed prisoner, Ali Al Rabit. The attendees asserted
on the demands of the prisoners.
According to UFree operations coordinator, Khaled Waleed, seminars were held with families of prisoners to reach and
craft the most effective tools which will help ending their plight and informing the international public opinion.
“The humiliation, torture and grim living conditions in the prisons require urgent actions. Therefore, UFree took the
imitative to initiate a number of events with its partners to raise awareness. This month is also to support the
families of Palestinian prisoners who are suffering the absence of their beloved ones. A working committee has been
formed to start a number of activities in this regard” Said Waleed.
In occupied Jerusalem, UFree and Yousef Al Sideeq organisation held an event on the 16th of April, where over 750
students attended. It focused on the Palestinian Nakba and the plight of Palestinian prisoners.
Director of Yousef Al Sideeq organization, Firas Umari, delivered a speech at the event and stressed on the suffering of
Palestinian prisoners. Umari added that the struggle of Palestinian prisoners is part of liberation and freedom quest.
He also stated that it is a refusal of the imperialism and colonialism which is damaging the lives of nations.
As part of solidarity month, a popular festival took place under the title, “Salt & Water” to highlight on the misery of Palestinian prisoners and their hunger strike through some plays that were staged.
It was attended by a number of NGOs and public figures like Shiekh Raed Salah.
UFree also revealed that an art gallery is being prepared and will take place in Baqa al Gharibya city. It will include
handmade goods and arts produced by Palestinian prisoners inside the Israeli jails. A photo gallery will also be
organised in the same venue.
It is remarkable that international solidarity with Palestinian prisoners is growing. UFree will continue its worldwide
activities to tell the world of the constant violations perpetrated by Israel against Palestinian prisoners. Many
prisoners have been killed due to lack of medicine and medical care while others are in critical conditions. Samir al
Issawi still on a hunger strike seeking his freedom. Thus, activities and actions will continue until all prisoners are
freed.
UFree Network is an independent European-wide human rights network; set up to defend the rights of Palestinian political
prisoners and detainees.
ENDS