Ref: 142/2003

 PCHR is gravely concerned about the
health of Palestinian detainee, Zuhair Zuhdi ‘Ali Mohammed, 37, from Gaza city,
who is currently detained in Ashkelon prison.  Mohammed was transported to
hospital this morning following rapid deterioration in his condition. 

 According
to a PCHR lawyer who has been representing Mohammed, he was transferred to
Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon this morning.  He is expected to be moved
tomorrow morning to Ekhilov Hospital in Tel Aviv to undergo an open-heart
surgery. 

 Mohammed
was arrested by Israeli Occupying Forces on 27 August 2003 at the Rafah
Terminal on his way to Egypt.  Following his initial arrest he was transferred
to Ashkelon prison.  He had been denied access to legal counsel for 7
days. 

 A
PCHR lawyer was finally able to visit him after this period.  Mohammed
reported suffering from bronchial asthma, and an inflammation in the internal
lignin of the stomach.  PCHR is concerned that the deterioration in
Mohammed’s health is a direct result of the inhuman detention conditions,
including the denial of access to medical attention, to which he has been
subjected during his period of detention. 

 PCHR
has submitted information regarding Mohammed’s case to a number of
international organizations concerned with protection of detainees’ rights, in
an attempt to urge these organizations to intervene with Israeli authorities to
ensure adequate treatment for Mohammed. 

 PCHR
calls upon all relevant international organizations to intervene to ensure the
protection of detainee rights, including with respect to conditions of
detention, and access to medical services and supplies.