An independent United Nations human rights expert Wednesday urged Israel to release Hana Shalabi, a Palestinian woman prisoner who has been on a hunger strike for nearly a month. “The situation of Ms. Shalabi is morbid and life-threatening,” said Richard Falk, the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories. “This is an appeal to the conscience and to humanity and a desperate call to all of us.” Falk urged the international community to intervene on her behalf. “Israel ought to end its inhumane treatment of Ms. Shalabi. Release her immediately.” He noted that Ms. Shalabi’s hunger strike “is against Israel’s abusive use of detention without charges and the degrading and physically harsh treatment administered during her arrest, interrogation, and detention process.” Ms. Shalabi was arrested on February 16 and has been on hunger strike since. 'She is being held in solitary confinement. She has been treated inhumanely. In the presence of her family she was blindfolded and treated roughly by several of the 50 Israeli soldiers sent to arrest her, as was her brother who tried to protect her,” said Falk. The expert voiced further concern that Ms. Shalabi’s 65-year-old mother and 67-year-old father also committed themselves to a hunger strike on February 23. He denounced the silence over Ms. Shalabi’s fate in Israel and the international community, and called on the Israeli authorities not to continue to disregard their responsibilities under international law. “The abusive treatment of Palestinian prisoners by Israel remains a cause of grave concern and the international community must continue to raise its voice for those risking their own lives to end injustice,” said Falk. Earlier this year, the independent expert twice appealed for the release of Palestinian prisoner Khader Adnan, who staged a 66-day hunger strike in protest of his humiliating detention and treatment by Israeli security forces. Israeli authorities have agreed to release him in mid-April. Falk said that Israel currently has approximately 300 Palestinians detained without charges. “I have requested information regarding each of these persons,” he said. “I intend to follow up on each case and address this matter in my forthcoming report to the Human Rights Council.” There are also an estimated 4,400 Palestinian detainees in Israeli prisons, he added.
GMT 16:54 2018 Thursday ,06 December
Prominent Rwandan activist Diane Rwigara acquitted of 'insurrection'GMT 21:37 2018 Friday ,23 November
Bahrain's efforts to protect women's rights praisedGMT 12:30 2018 Tuesday ,30 October
Women wrestlers take on tradition in south IraqGMT 11:04 2018 Friday ,26 October
EU gender pay gap means women work for free from November 3GMT 10:56 2018 Monday ,15 October
Halep clinches year-end top spot in women's tennis rankingsGMT 11:20 2018 Friday ,12 October
Young Egyptian woman serves as minister for a dayGMT 16:20 2018 Wednesday ,10 October
Palestinian champions ‘drift’ racing for womenGMT 09:36 2018 Tuesday ,02 October
Kuwaiti women's empowering initiative hailedMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor