Calls for international protection for prisoners in Israel jails

Al-Dameer Association for Human Rights yesterday called for “urgent” international protection for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, the Safa news agency reported.

In a statement, the rights group stated that the Palestinian prisoners are currently enduring “flagrant violations” by the Israeli occupation forces.

“We are following up closely and with much concern, the systematic increasing crimes carried out by the Israeli prison services against the Palestinian prisoners,” the rights group said, noting that these “violations are opposed by all international conventions related to the protection of prisoners.”

The group said that it has documented the latest Israeli escalation against the prisoners in Al-Naqab Prison, the latest of which was the raid on Division 3 when 20 prisoners were wounded, including three who sustained serious injuries.

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According to the rights group, 14 prisoners were admitted to hospital and tens suffered suffocation due to the heavy use of tear gas, while the Israeli prison services reported two prison guards were stabbed and wounded.

The rights group said that this came in response to the Israeli installation of jamming devices which stop radio, telephone and television signals from penetrating in to the area.

The international community must step in an end the prisoners’ suffering as part of their duty as signatories to the Fourth Geneva Convention, the rights group stressed. While calling on the Palestinian Authority to intensify its efforts to support the prisoners.