Ref: 43/2015

In cooperation with the Prisoners’ Committee of Islamic and national Factions, the Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) held on Tuesday morning, 11 August 2015, a consultative meeting in presence of human rights organizations: al-Dhameer, al-Mezan and NGOs Network, and representatives of prisoners’ families. This meeting was held in view of the latest developments, especially those relevant to the Israeli Knesset’s decision on force-feeding and the Israeli authorities’ attempts to apply it by feeding Mohammed Allan, ane administrative detainee on hunger strike. It also addressed the imminent danger over Allan’s life in light of the outrage witnessed in the Israeli prisons under the arbitrary measures taken against Palestinian prisoners. The meeting aimed to conclude recommendations and steps that would support the prisoners’ cause.

The meeting was opened by lawyer Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR, who welcomed the attendants. He also welcomed their perspectives and suggestions and expressed readiness to work on them.

Sourani in his speech tackled the risks resulting from force-feeding and how this new measure violates the Palestinian prisoners’ freedom of opinion and expression, as prisoners are struggling with their body cells in protest at the inhumane detention conditions. They also demand their rights under the international criminal law, including international human rights law and international humanitarian law. Sourani added that approving the decision reflects the moral decadence of the Israeli occupation that commits violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in cold blood and with consent of Israel’s official institutions and Knesset.

In the same context, Sourani praised the positions of international organizations that had the initiative to declare their clear positions from the force-feeding decision, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. They condemned this law and considered it as a crime. Sourani appreciated the position of the Israel Medical Association that matched the international standards.

On the other hand, discussion was allowed and participants presented a number of recommendations and suggestions, the most prominent of which were:

1. The importance of holding a seminar on the law of force-feeding on 17 August 2015, in participation of the Committee of Islamic and National Factions;
2. Communication with Arab human rights organizations and the Arab Lawyers’ Union (ALU) to issue statements condemning the Israeli decision of force-feeding and considering it as a crime;
3. Continuing cooperation and coordination with Palestinian human rights organizations, international institutions and relevant UN agencies to support the Palestinian prisoners’ cause; and
4. Prepare a list of Israeli security officers and officials, who supervise the torture of Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli jails in order to prosecute them before international courts.