18 December 2012, Ramallah - Addameer is deeply concerned about the health of the five hunger strikers as their situation rapidly deteriorates in the Occupation’s prisons. The five hunger strikers, Ayman Sharawna (171 days), Samer Issawi (140 days), Yousef Yassin (21 days), Jafar Azzidine (21 days) and Tarek Qa’adan (21 days), are in danger of imminent death if they are not provided with immediate independent medical care or release.
Addameer lawyers visited hunger striker Ayman Sharawna in Ramleh Prison Hosptial on 18 December 2012. Ayman’s health is in grave danger, as he is suffering from severe pain in the kidneys, liver and legs, and has lost his vision. Ayman is refusing to be transferred to another hospital due to his Israel Prison Service’s intention to shackle him during transportation and treatment. The doctor at Ramleh Prison Hospital told Ayman that there is serious danger on his life if he discontinues to drink water. He is currently taking vitamins and sugar.
Ayman is protesting his arbitrary re-arrest after his releasei n the Gilad Shalit exchange of 11 October 2011. The prosecution is attempting to renew his previous sentence despite their lack of charges.
Faris Zaid, Addameer lawyer, was unable to visit Samer Issawi today because of his court date, in which he was attacked by the IPS special services. Addameer lawyers last visited Samer Issawi on 12 December 2012, and reported that he is suffering pain in all of his muscles, has very low blood pressure and is losing his eye sight. He is now being regularly tested with a heart monitor and being administered with B12 injections to protect his nerves.
Like Ayman, Samer is also protesting his arbitrary re-arrest after his release in the Gilad Shalit exchange of 11 October 2011. The prosecution is also trying to renew the remained of his previous sentence of 20 years.
Yousef Yassin, Jafar Azzidine and Tarek Qa’adan, who have been on hunger strike for 21 days are still being held in Magiddo Prison. They were arrested on 22 November 2012, following the cease fire during the attacks on the Gaza Strip. They are on hunger strike to protest their administrative detention orders. Jafar and Tarek are both former prisoners.
Addameer calls on the international community to pressure the Israeli Prison Service for the immediate release of the hunger striking prisoners to stop their worsening and deteriorating health conditions. Addameer calls on the international community to intervene and demands that Israel upholds international human rights and humanitarian law.
ACT NOW!
*Write to the Israeli government, military and legal authorities and demand the release of the prisoners on hunger strike.
- 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 the hunger strikers.