EU calls on Israel to fully respect the human rights of the prisoners

The London-based Arabic daily newspaper, Al-Hayat, reported on February 17, 2013 that the EU’s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, has expressed concern about the deteriorating health condition of four Palestinian prisoners on a hunger strike in Israeli prisons. She called on Israel to guarantee the rights of all Palestinian detainees in accord with international laws and conventions.

Meanwhile, another source, The Gulf newspaper, reporting from the occupied Palestinian territories on February 17, quoted Ms Ashton as saying; “The European Union urges the Israeli government to immediately reinstate the right of prisoners to receive visits from their relatives. The EU also demands Israel to comply fully with its international obligations regarding the human rights of Palestinian detainees and prisoners”. She added that Israel’s use of administrative detention continues to be a matter of grave concern for the European Union.