Palestinian Bar Association sends letter to Ban Ki-Moon over Palestinian prisoner

The Palestinian Bar Association (PBA) has sent a letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon protesting about the condition of Palestinian prisoner Mohammed Allan.

Allan, a Palestinian lawyer, began a hunger strike on 16 June in protest of his incarceration since November 2014 under what Israel calls administrative detention. The system allows a military court to order suspects to be detained indefinitely, subject to renewal every six months by the court, without charge or trial.

On Wednesday, Allan ended his 65-day hunger strike after the Israeli Supreme Court suspended his arrest warrant. However, he will remain hospitalized after having suffered brain damage.

“We hold the Israeli authorities liable for Allan’s current condition,” read the letter.  “Allan’s detention without charge or trial for the past 9 months violates international norms and standards that prohibit the systematic use of administrative detention.”

The letter noted that such use violates the Forth Geneva Convention and Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Ibrahim Faris, a member of the PBA, has said that the organisation will be sending the same letter to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch requesting that they visit Allan and other Palestinian prisoners.

“The PBA is looking for the application of international law and human rights only,” said Faris.  “The prisoner’s issue is so sensitive and risky.”

Allan currently remains at Barzilai hospital, Ashqelon. Doctor Hezy Levy, who provides him with medical treatment, told AP that the detainee was “incoherent” and “not connecting with his surroundings.”

Ibrahim Faris, has said that Israel as an occupying power bears a full responsibility for the safety and security of Palestinian prisoners”. He added “Hunger strike is kind of peaceful protest  against the occupying Power practices and polices”.