Ref: 177/2007

Date: 30 December  2007

Time: 12:30 GMT

 PCHR Calls for Independent Commission into the Death of Prisoner Fadi Abu El-Rob

Twenty one year old Fadi Abd El-Latif Abu El-Rob died in the Israeli Jalbou’ prison on the evening of 28 December, 2007. A Palestinian from the town of Qabatia, near Jenin, and a member of Islamic Jihad, Fadi Abu El-Rob had been detained in Jalbou’ prison since 29 June, 2007.

According to PCHR information, Fadi Abu El-Rob was suffering from an unspecified illness on the morning of December 28. He was transferred to the prison clinic, where his condition deteriorated.

The Israeli Prisons Authority (IPA) announced his death on the evening of December 28, without

specifying the cause of death.

Fadi Abu El-Rob is the fifth Palestinian prisoner to die in an Israeli jail during 2007. Four Palestinians died as a result of medical negligence, and the fifth was shot in the head by an anti-riot unit who broke into Ketsa’ot Detention Center in the Negev on October 22, 2007.

PCHR notes with the utmost concern that Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails are being subjected to harsh and inhumane conditions as a direct result of deteriorating prison conditions, including deteriorating standards of healthcare. These conditions violate Articles 22 and 26 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. In addition, Israeli authorities are imposing severe restrictions on prisoners, and also deprive them of their visitation rights.

PCHR calls upon the international community to put an end to the suffering of more than ten thousand Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Israeli jails and detention centers, including at least 750 prisoners who are being held in administrative detention. All Palestinian prisoners are incarcerated under conditions that violate International Humanitarian Law. In light of the death of Fadi Abu El-Rob, and the conditions endured by Palestinian prisoners due to systematic Israeli policies of torture, medical negligence and inhumane treatment, PCHR calls upon:

·        The Israeli Prisons Authority to form an independent commission to investigate the death of Fadi Abu El-Rob, and for this independent commission to publicly announce its findings.  

·        The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to establish a special medical committee to investigate the health conditions of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel.

·        The International Community, and relevant international humanitarian organizations, to provide the minimum basic requirements of life and health care for the thousands of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.