Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Arab League Calls for Sending International Investigation Committee to Israeli Jails | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55373238
Caption:

Demonstration of solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners in Ramallah. (Reuters)


Cairo – The Arab League council voiced on Thursday its complete solidarity with Palestinian and Arab prisoners who have been on hunger strike in Israeli jails since April 17, demanding that Tel Aviv respect the four Geneva conventions.

It also demanded that the United Nations and its specialized institutions dispatch an international investigation committee to Israeli jails to inspect the violations committed against the prisoners.

The Arab League issued its call after holding an extraordinary session chaired by Algeria on Thursday.

A hunger strike is a way to achieve their just humanitarian and political demands, stated the Arab League of the prisoners, whom it said should be treated as prisoners of war in accordance to international laws.

It urged an end to their imprisonment and the tragic and inhumane conditions in which they are being held.

They have been deprived of their right of a family visit and their relatives have also been subject to abuse.

Furthermore, the Arab League condemned the arbitrary arrests against the Palestinians and the wide administrative detentions, deeming them “flagrant” violations of international law.

It called on the international community, world governments and parliaments and specialized international agencies to assume their moral and political responsibilities and immediately and urgently intervene and obligate the Israeli government to respect International Humanitarian Law.

The government should abide by the third Geneva Convention of 1949 and treat the detainees as prisoners of war.

The Arab League council held the Israeli government completely responsible for the lives of the inmates, especially those on hunger strike.

It also condemned the discrimination campaign waged by Israel against the families of the prisoners.

The Arab League will keep its sessions open in order to follow up on the case of Palestinian and Arab detainees.

League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit urged the international community to pressure Israel to halt its violations against the prisoners, adding that the organization’s meeting is a message of support to them as they enter the third week of their hunger strike.