Occupied Ramallah, 21 March 2013 - This Mothers Day, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association honors the twelve female Palestinian prisoners languishing in Israeli jails, especially Salwa Hassan, Asma Al-Batran, Nawal Al Saidi and Entesar Al Sayad, who have not been able to enjoy motherhood due to their detention.
The twelve Palestinian prisoners are detained in HaSharon Prison under extremely difficult conditions: they are held in overcrowded cells, with lack of access to basic human needs such as hygiene, nutritious food and proper clothing and blankets. Furthermore, female prisoners are subjected to harsh conditions during their interrogation, including beatings, insults, threats, sexual harassment and humiliation by Israeli interrogators. Often they must undergo degrading and intrusive body searches during transfers to court hearings and sometimes during the middle of the night as a punitive measure.
Addameer has documented at least four cases of women giving birth in Israeli detention between 2003 and 2008. Pregnant prisoners are not afforded special diets, living space or transfers to hospitals during their detention. During labor, they are chained to their beds until they enter the delivery rooms and shackled once again after giving birth. Under Israeli law, a female prisoner may request that her child live with her in prison until he/she reaches the age of two. However, the detainee and her child are not given additional living space or improved living conditions.
Female prisoners are also routinely denied family visits with their children, further hindering their ability to be active mothers involved in their children’s lives.
Currently four female prisoners are separated from their children on this Mother’s Day:
Salwa Hassan (55 years old) from Al-Khalil/Hebron, is the eldest female prisoner in the Occupation’s jails. Salwa is the mother of six children, all of whom have been forbidden from visiting her at some point during her detention. She has only allowed two visits since her arrest. Her sons Munther and Ibrahim have been arrested by the Occupation numerous times as well.
Rula, reflected on her mother’s absence during Mothers Day:
“516 days after her detention began, I was able to see my mother for 45 minutes behind a glass barrier. When I saw my mother behind the glass after a year and a half of detention, I collapsed in tears. When I saw her, I was hoping that I could hug and kiss her but I was too shocked. I tried to speak with her and take advantage of the limited time we were given, despite my intense longing for her and my concern for her and her health. She assured me that she would be freed soon and that only 90 days of waiting remained. I would have liked to have her with us today to celebrate Mothers‘ Day. I see people around me with flowers and presents and it makes me miss my mother, who is languishing in the prisons of this oppressive occupation.”
Nawal Al Saidi (53 years old) from Jenin, was arrested on 5 November 2012. She has six sons and five daughters. Two of her sons, Abdelkarim and Ibrahim, were martyred during IOF attacks in Jenin. Nawal’s family have been forbidden from visiting her, and have only seen her once since her arrest.
Asma Al-Batran (24 years old) from Al-Khalil/Hebron, was arrested on 27 August 2012 and sentenced to ten months for her participation in political activities in her university. A lively mother of six, Asma was studying at Hebron University at the time of her arrest.
Entesar Al Sayad (38 years old) from Jerusalem was arrested on 22 November 2012 and sentenced to two and a half years. She is a mother of four children.
Addameer condemns the continued detention of Palestinian mothers under such harsh and inhumane conditions. Addameer calls on the international community to draw attention to female prisoners issues by raising them with their respective government representatives.
ACT NOW!
*Write to the Israeli government, military and legal authorities and demand the release of Palestinian mothers.
- Brigadier General Danny Efroni
Military Judge Advocate General
6 David Elazar Street
Harkiya, Tel Aviv
Israel
Fax: +972 3 608 0366; +972 3 569 4526
Email: [email protected]; [email protected] - Maj. Gen. Nitzan Alon
OC Central Command Nehemia Base, Central Command
Neveh Yaacov, Jerusalam
Fax: +972 2 530 5741 - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ehud Barak
Ministry of Defense
37 Kaplan Street, Hakirya
Tel Aviv 61909, Israel
Fax: +972 3 691 6940 / 696 2757 - Col. Eli Bar On
Legal Advisor of Judea and Samaria PO Box 5
Beth El 90631
Fax: +972 2 9977326
*Write to your own elected representatives urging them to pressure Israel to release Palestinian mothers.