NABLUS (PIC) – A Palestinian Human Rights Organization has called for the formation of an Arab Front of Institutions working on Human Rights issues to look into the violations practiced by the Occupation Forces against detained Palestinians especially those in critical health situation among kidnapped MPs and ministers neglecting the fact that they were democratically elected to officially represent their people.
‘Nafha’ Association for the Defense of Human and Prisoners’ Rights has called for the holding of an International Summit in a European country; a conference that would aim at reaching wide international participation and the formation of an Independent Legal Committee to look into the situation of the detainees that are routinely tortured by the Occupation forces.
Critical Human Conditions
Mr. Muhamad Basharat chairman of Nafha told PIC that the association has prepared a detailed program to defend the detainees and represent them at hearings in the various occupation courts. “We have a well qualified team of legal personnel specialized in monitoring different issues relating to the detainees and the daily violations practiced against them.
Nafha Reports reveal that the 36 Palestinian MPs imprisoned in the Israeli Majedo and Alramla prisons are suffering critical health conditions after being denied proper health treatment and services. Most of the MPs are seniors suffering from chronic health conditions including: diabetes rheumatism ulcer and heart diseases.
The Nafha Report described several cases of MPs suffering chronic health condition including; MP Yasser Mansour suffering from diabetes chairman of the Legislative Council MP Dr. Aziz Dwaik suffering from a chronic heart disease Palestinian Academic Muhamad Ghazal suffering from increasing short sight; and Professor Issam Alashkar suffering from critical high blood pressure and had to be moved to Alramla Zionist Prison Hospital.
Nafha Association explained that their planned activities includes a routine visit to the detained MPs to follow-up their legal rights. This task will be carried out by Lawyer Faris Abo Hasan legal consultant of Nafha in coordination with the Ministry of Detainees’ Affairs.
A Political Issue
Lawyer Abo Hasan called for the formation of an International Legal Committee to look into the cases of the detained MPs as a political one that came after the capture of Israeli occupation soldier Gilad Shalit by Palestinian resistance groups to be exchange with Palestinian detainees. The lawyer said: “Human rights activists all over the world should take immediate action to demand the release of the kidnapped MPs and ministers”. He accused the occupation of “Violating international law in terms of repressive measures practiced against the detainees and the deliberate slow procedures in filing their cases”. He called on the President of the Palestinian Authority and Prime Minister to “Seriously act towards intensifying International efforts to release the detained Palestinian Legislative Council Members”.
Detained MPs have stated from prison that they refuse to become bargaining chips that the Zionist enemy can use for the release of Gilad Shalit or to pressure Palestinian officials to lower the ceiling of their demands. The MP detainees insist on the release of all detainees and their right to live in dignity and peace outside occupation prisons.
Demanding the release of all detainees
From Majedo prision speaker of the Legislative Council MP Dr. Aziz Dwaik requested Arab and International Parliaments to play a leading role in effecting the release of all the detained MPs who must participate as representatives of the people in the impending political process in Palestine. He also stressed for the enhancement of the ‘Makkah Agreement’ and the political partnership between Hamas and Fatah and to bring the Palestinians out of this bleak occupation that was imposed on them; and finally to enforce security and to prevent another internal unrest.
Furthermore Dr Dawik asked Mr. Mahmoud Abbas President of the PA to work on the immediate release of all Palestinian Prisoners and detained MPs and to bring up the issue during his meetings with political officials at both the Arab and International levels and to use all his force to pressure the occupation for the immediate release of the detainees.
