Statement Issued by 292 Human Rights and Civil Organizations for the Release of Palestinian Prisoners and Detainees in the Prisons of the Occupation and Apartheid State

The undersigned human rights and civil institutions condemn in the strongest terms the continued detention by "Israel," the military occupation state, of about (4,650) prisoners distributed among about (23) prisons and detention centers. Among the prisoners, there are (32) female and girl captives, about (180) minors under the age of eighteen years, and (780) administrative detainees, including two female prisoners and four children. There are also (600) prisoners suffering from various diseases, of whom (22) have cancer. This is in addition to (549) prisoners who were sentenced to life imprisonment once or several times.

Civil and human rights organizations call on the international community, led by the United Nations, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, to pressure the occupation and apartheid entity to end the file of administrative detention and stop its use against Palestinians. Thus, it violates one of the most important fair trial guarantees in light of the concealment of information from the detainee and his lawyer and the possibility of extending his administrative detention indefinitely without the detainee knowing his accusation.

About (780) administrative detainees, including two female prisoners and four children, are being held without charge. Noting that the number of administrative detention orders issued only since the beginning of 2022 until the present has reached approximately (1350). This requires stopping this systematic policy based on the abolished colonial emergency law and presumes the widest international campaign of solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in general and administrative prisoners in particular. Especially since there have been (30) hunger strikers since September 25th, 2022, in protest against the administrative detention policy and in defense of the (780) administrative detainees.

Civil and human rights organizations and institutions affirm that the continued detention of Palestinian prisoners, which constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law, especially the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions on the treatment of prisoners of war and detainees, is also a war crime according to Article 85, Paragraph 5 of Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, and in accordance with Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

It also affirms that what Palestinian prisoners and detainees are subjected to in terms of arbitrary arrest, physical and psychological torture, and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment and punishment, flagrantly violates international human rights law, especially the Convention against Torture (1984-1987), as well as the standards adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

Human rights and civil institutions condemn the policy of medical neglect and apartheid pursued by the occupying state against Palestinian female prisoners and detainees and the policy of torture and solitary confinement in cells lacking the minimum conditions of human life, depriving the families of prisoners of their visits, and the systematic abuse and torture of male and female prisoners.

The human rights and civil organizations that signed the statement stress the need to:

  1. Inviting Arab, regional and international official and human rights institutions to work on the internationalization of the issue of prisoners and administrative detainees;
  2. The International Committee of the Red Cross intensifies its visits to Palestinian prisoners and detainees to expose practices that violate their rights, publish reports for review, and works for their release;
  3. Immediately release sick prisoners, children, women, and administrative detainees;
  4. Opening the prisons of the occupying and apartheid state to medical and international human rights committees, including the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention;
  5. Calling upon the member states to the Geneva Conventions to oblige the occupying and apartheid state, under Common Article 1, to respect their obligations under the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions to protect prisoners and civilians;
  6. Demanding the Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Territories to study the situation of male and female prisoners in the prisons of the occupier and to discuss it with the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva;
  7. The UN Special Rapporteurs exercise their responsibilities in preparing urgent reports and highlighting violations of the rights of Palestinian prisoners to health and care, and exposing the practices of the occupying and apartheid state, in a way that enables it to be held accountable and constitutes a form of deterrence;
  8. Demanding the United Nations and the Human Rights Council to hold an extraordinary session to discuss the conditions of Palestinian prisoners and detainees in Israeli prisons.

The signatories:

  1. Tunisian General Labor Union
  2. Coordination for Maghreb Human Rights Organizations (include 26 HR organizations from Morocco, Mauretania, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya)
  3. The Moroccan Coalition for Human Rights Bodies (includes 20 Moroccan human rights organizations)
  4. Federation of Yemeni Private Universities
  5. Federation of Women's Action/Morocco
  6. Feminist Action Federation / Palestine
  7. Jordanian Women's Union (JWU)
  8. The Jordan Federation of the Independent Trade Unions
  9. The National Union of Tunisian Women
  10. The Federation of Women Action Committee
  11. Union of Palestinian Working Women's Committees
  12. Union of Palestinian Women's Committees
  13. Union of Women's Committees for Social Work/Palestine
  14. Union of Palestinian Women Struggle Committees
  15. Tunisian Coalition Against the Death Penalty
  16. The Human Rights Coalition to Stop the Aggression, Lift the Siege, and Build Peace in Yemen (includes 10 organizations from ten Arab countries)
  17. Egyptian Coalition for Child Rights (includes 180 institutions)
  18. The National Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Yemen
  19. The Arab house in Ukraine
  20. The Palestinian Doctors Association in Europe
  21. The Academic Assembly for the support of Palestine-Lebanon
  22. Women’s Cultural Assembly for Democracy / Iraq
  23. Cultural Rally for Democracy / Iraq
  24.  NGOs Platform (Tajamoh)(includes 50 organizations)/Lebanon
  25. The Lebanese Women Democratic Gathering-RDFL
  26. Jordan Coalition Against the Death Penalty
  27. Syrian Coalition Against the Death Penalty (SCODP)
  28. Iraqi Coalition Against the Death Penalty
  29. The Iraqi Alliance for Human Rights Organizations (includes 55 organizations)
  30. The Arab Coalition against the Death Penalty (includes 9 coalitions in 8 countries)
  31. Syrian Feminist Alliance to activate Security Council Resolution 1325
  32. Yemeni Coalition Against the Death Penalty
  33. Transparency Morocco
  34. The National Coordination for the Defense of the Rights of the Blind and Visually Impaired in Morocco
  35. The Moroccan Front in Support of Palestine and Against Normalization
  36. Solidarity Association for Social and Cultural Development/Lebanon
  37. Ibn Rushd Association for Development and Democracy / Iraq
  38. Association of the Union of Palestinian Women's Committees
  39. United Generations of Glory Association/Morocco
  40. Association féministe Irtiqa/ Tunisie
  41. The Jordan Society for Human Rights
  42. Bright Hopes Association for Women's Development / Yemen
  43. Solidarity Hands Association for the Right to Dignity and Citizenship/Morocco
  44. Bahrain Human Rights Society
  45. Bahrain Society Against Normalization
  46. Bahrain Society to Resist Normalization with the Zionist Enemy / Bahrain
  47. Baraem Association for Social Work/Lebanon
  48. The Palestinian National Heritage Society in Lebanon
  49. Civil Solidarity Association / Tunis
  50. Community Development Association/ Jordan
  51. Community Development Association for Thought and Culture / Palestine
  52. Lebanese Palestinian Communication Association
  53. Tunisian Association for Cultural Action ATAC
  54. Tunisian Association for the Defense of Individual Liberties
  55. Tunisian Association of Democratic Women
  56. Tunisian Association for the Support of Minorities
  57. l'Association des tunisiens en France 
  58. Association of Culture and Free Thought/Palestine
  59. University Graduates Association/ Palestine
  60. International Tent Association Rotterdam/Netherlands
  61. The Palestinian Developmental Feminist Studies Association
  62. Association pour la Défense des Droits de l'Homme au Maroc (ASDHOM)
  63. Oak Society/Jordan
  64. Working Women's Association/Jordan
  65. Association of the International Cultural Network for Palestine
  66. Palestinian Diaspora Association / Sweden
  67. Arab-European Friendship Association/France
  68. Palestinian-Ukrainian Friendship Association
  69. Women's Action Society for the Rehabilitation of Women and Children - Gaza / Palestine
  70. Lebanese Association for Boycott Support
  71. Lebanese Association of Democratic Jurists
  72.   Association of the Moroccan Initiative for Solidarity / Morocco
  73. Association for Defenders of Human Rights and Public Freedoms/Palestine
  74. Bahraini Women's Association
  75. Modern Women's Association / Tunisia
  76. Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development PWWSD”
  77. Women’s Association for Women’s Development and Development/ Yemen
  78. Association of the Developmental Center for Palestinian Women\ Tulkarm\ Palestine
  79. The Egyptian Association for Development and Technology
  80. Moroccan Association for Human Rights
  81. The Moroccan Association for Women Progressive
  82. Moroccan Association in Support of the Palestinian Struggle
  83. University Cultural Forum Association
  84. Association of the Economic and Social Forum for Women / Jordan
  85. Mauritanian Association for the Promotion of Rights
  86. Mauritanian Association for Development, Research and Follow-up
  87. An-Najah Women's Association / Yemen
  88. Social Relief Society for Women Development / Palestine
  89. Arab Women Organization-Jordan
  90. Palestinian Family Advancement Association
  91. The National Association for the Defense of Rights and Freedoms/Egypt
  92. Amal Association, a women's movement for a better life/Morocco
  93. Omy Association for Rights and Development/Egypt
  94. Women's Media Development Foundation - Tam/Palestin
  95. Association for the Development of People with Special Needs / Yemen
  96. Jothor Society for Human Rights-Jordan
  97. Jusoor Association of Moroccan Women Forum
  98. Hemaya Association for Human Rights and Development/Egypt
  99. Jose Marti Association for Arab-Latin American Solidarity
  100. Association of Defense League for Legal, Cultural and Sports Radiation / Morocco
  101. Rachel Corrie Association for Solidarity Among Peoples
  102. Rasid Association for Human Rights/ Lebanon
  103. Roaa Women Association-Jordan
  104. Women's Network Society  for Women Support/ Jordan
  105. Chamoua Association for Equality/Morocco
  106. Aisha Association for the Protection of Women and Children _ Gaza / Palestine
  107. Kaderat Association / Tunisia
  108. Initiatives Association for the Protection of Women/Morocco
  109. Transparency Anti-bribery Association/Morocco
  110. Mothers School Association /Palestine
  111. Association of the Jordanian Women's Solidarity Institute
  112. Women's Development Forum Association / Egypt
  113. Orient Forum Association for Freedom and Peace
  114. Amman Forum for Human Rights Association/Jordan
  115. Women's Association for Jerusalem / Lebanon
  116. Wejdan Al-Yemen Association for Capacity Development/Yemen
  117. Communications Association / Egypt
  118. Protecting human rights defenders around the Arab world/ France
  119. The Jordanian Academic Campaign for Solidarity with the Rights of the Palestinian People
  120. The International Academic Campaign Against the Israeli Occupation and Apartheid
  121. The International Campaign to End the Siege on Yemen
  122. The Women's Campaign to Boycott Israeli/Palestine Goods
  123. Damj the Tunisian Association for Justice and Equality
  124. Tunisian League for Tolerance
  125. The Tunisian League for the Defense of Human Rights
  126. The Algerian League for Defense Human Rights
  127. Association of Women Heads of Families from Mauritania
  128. Iraqi League for Human Rights Trainers
  129. Freedom Pioneers for Integrity and Human Rights Training / Jordan
  130. The Jordanian Network for Human Rights (includes 11 human rights organizations)
  131. The Jordanian Network for Election Integrity
  132. The Moroccan Democratic Network for Solidarity with the Peoples(includes 38  Commission)
  133. Global Network for the Defense of the Palestinian People
  134. The Arab Human Rights Trainers Network
  135. Women's Network for Women Support/Jordan
  136. Women’s Peace and Security Network (Yemen)
  137. Social Accountability Network in the Arab World
  138. Social Accountability Network in Morocco
  139. The Syrian National Network for Civil Peace and Community Safety.
  140. The Syrian Federation of Human Rights Organizations and Bodies
  141. Women's Struggle Bloc / Palestine
  142. Committees for the Defense of Democratic Freedoms and Human Rights in Syria (LDH)
  143. Committee on Public Liberties and Human Rights / Palestinian Bar Association
  144. Syrian Medical Committee/Paris
  145. Arab Commission for Human Rights
  146. The Kurdish Committee for Human Rights in Syria (Al Rased).
  147. Follow-up Committee to Support the Issue of Lebanese Detainees in Israeli Prisons/Lebanon
  148. The Vigilance Committee for Democracy in Tunisia / Belgium
  149. Lebanese Women's Rights Committee
  150. The Committee for the Respect of Freedoms and Human Rights in Tunisia
  151. Why do I have women's rights/Libya
  152. Palestinian Initiative to Deepen Global Dialogue and Democracy-MIFTAH
  153. International Council for Relief and Development
  154. World Council for Rights and Freedoms
  155. Yemeni Council for Rights and Freedoms / Yemen
  156. Norwegian Council for Tolerance/Kingdom of Norway
  157. Lebanese Council of Women (includes 150 organization)
  158. National Action Group for Palestine/Morocco
  159. Law Group for Human Rights / Mizan (Jordan)
  160. Lawyers for Justice /Yemen
  161. Democratic School/Yemen
  162. International Observatory for Documentation of Human Rights Violations/ Argentina
  163. Arab World Observatory for Democracy and Elections
  164. The Arab Observatory for Human Rights and Citizenship/ Lebanon
  165. French Observatory for Human Rights/Paris
  166. Moroccan Observatory for Prisons
  167. Democratic Observatory for Migration and Citizenship in Europe
  168. Atlantis Youth and Cultural Innovation Center/ Morocco
  169. Human Rights & Democracy Media Center “SHAMS"/Palestine
  170. Center for Research, Legal Consultation and Protection for Women – Gaza / Palestine
  171. Arab Women Media Center / Jordan
  172. Euro-Mediterranean Center for Migration and Development, Amsterdam/Netherlands
  173. Bahrain Center Against Torture / Bahrain
  174. Al-Badeel Center for Studies and Research/Jordan
  175. Arab House Center for Research and Studies/ Egypt
  176. Women's Human Rights Education Center/Morocco
  177. Center for Freedoms and Immunities for Human Rights/Egypt
  178. Khiam Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture-Lebanon
  179. Women’s Studies Center/ Palestine
  180. Center for the Defense of Freedoms and Civil Rights "Hurriyat" / Palestine
  181. Delta Center for Human Rights and Sustainable Development/Egypt
  182. International Center for the Promotion of Rights and Freedoms – Swiss Association
  183. Spectrum Center for Women's Rehabilitation / Yemen
  184. The Arab European Center for Human Rights and International Law / Norway
  185. The Palestinian Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and Advocates "Musawa"
  186. Palestinian Centre for Peace and Democracy PCPD
  187. Palestinian Center for Cultural Dialogue and Development
  188. The Palestinian Center for Democratic Dialogue and Political Development
  189. Phenix Center for Economics & Informatics Studies/Jordan
  190. Center for International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights/Yemen
  191. Jerusalem Center for Legal Aid and Human Rights/Palestine
  192. Strategic Initiative Center Palestine/Malaysia
  193. Women's Center for Legal Aid and Counselling/Palestine
  194. Bensaid Ait Ydr Center for Studies and Research/Morocco
  195. Excellence Consulting Center for Development / Bahrain
  196. Jothor Center for Human Rights/Jordan
  197. Human Rights Center for Memory and Archives/Morocco
  198. Center for the Protection and Freedom of Journalists/ Jordan
  199. Step Center for People with Special Needs / Yemen
  200. Khalil Sakakini Cultural Center / Palestine
  201. Damascus Center for Theoretical and Civil Studies
  202. Women Affairs Center/Palestine
  203. Amman Center for Human Rights Studies (ACHRS)
  204. Ain Center for Human Rights/Yemen
  205. Metro Center for Defending the Rights of Journalists/ Iraq
  206. Wasel Center for Youth Development / Palestine
  207. Scandinavian Institute of Human Rights/Geneva
  208. International Institute for Peace, Justice and Human Rights/Geneva
  209. Palestine Institute for National Security Research/Palestine
  210. Dialogue Forum for Development and Human Rights / Egypt
  211. The Palestinian Democratic Forum in Europe
  212. The Cultural and Legal Youth Forum at the Arab Observatory / Lebanon
  213. Moroccan Forum for Truth and Justice
  214. Al-Najd Development Forum - Gaza / Palestine
  215. Houran Forum for Citizenship/Syria
  216. Ifos Forum for Democracy and Human Rights/Morocco
  217. Takamol/Palestine Women's Advisory Forum
  218. Economic and Social Forum for Women/Jordan
  219. Bahrain Forum for Human Rights
  220. Renewal Forum for Citizen and Democratic Thought / Tunisia
  221. International Forum for Peace and Human Rights/Tunisia
  222. Sisters Arab Forum for Human Rights (Yemen)
  223. Sudanese National Civil Forum(includes 54 civil society organizations) / Sudan
  224. Moroccan Forum for Social Governance Executive Office
  225. Moroccan Forum for Truth and Equity
  226. Mandela Forum for Dialogue and Non-Violence/Egypt
  227. SoS Relief and Crisis Management Organization/ Yemen
  228. African Organization for Human Rights Monitoring/Morocco
  229. Libyan Academic Organization
  230. Al-Bayan Organization for Women and Child Rights/Libya
  231. Civil Solidarity Organization for the Mediterranean / Tunisia
  232. The Tunisian Organization against Torture
  233. Love and Peace Organization Canada-Tunisia
  234. Gender Studies and Information Organization / Iraq
  235. rganization for the Defense of Victims of Violence / Geneva
  236. Organization for the Defense of Prisoners of Conscience in Syria - Rawanga
  237. International Organization for Human Rights and International Law / Norway
  238. The Arab Organization for Human Rights in Syria
  239. The Kurdish Organization for Human Rights in Syria (DAD)
  240. Libyan Organization for Cultural Exchange and Democracy
  241. Social Initiative Organization / Syria
  242. ARDO Aid and Development Organization/Yemen
  243. Egyptian Organization for Human Rights
  244. Moroccan Organization for Human Rights
  245. Al Mouel Organization for Rights and Development / Yemen
  246. National Organization of Amazonas / Libya
  247. National Organization for Human Rights in Syria
  248. Yemeni Organization for Dialogue of Religions and Cultures
  249. Yemeni Organization for Humanitarian Action / Yemen
  250. Aman Organization for Childhood and Development/ Yemen
  251. Human Without Borders -- HWB /Canada
  252. Freedom House Organization to defend human rights and combat slavery and its remnants/ Mauritania
  253. Beyti Organization, Lebanon
  254. ORGANIZATION FOR FREEDOM OF MEDIAS AND EXPRESSION- OFME- HATIM / MOROCCO
  255. Human Rights Organization in Syria- Maf
  256. Organization for the Protection of Law and the Promotion of Peace / Yemen
  257. Salam Organization for Democracy and Human Rights
  258. Desert Youth Organization for Development and Human Rights / Libya
  259. Freedom Martyr Nabil Barakati Organization: Memory and Wafa/ Tunisia
  260. Organization of the Council for Call and Guidance / Libya
  261. Pulse Organization for Development and Peace Plus / Yemen
  262. Nuqul Information Technology Organization/Libya
  263. Humanity Relief and Development Organization / Yemen
  264. Waymi Human Rights Organization/Libya
  265. Yemeni Organization for Defense Rights and Democratic Freedoms/Yemen
  266. Afkar Foundation for Building Yemen for Rights and Development / Yemen
  267. Al-Bashaer Foundation for the Development of Women and Children/Yemen
  268. Humanitarian Cooperation Foundation for the Care of People with Special Needs / Yemen
  269. Al-Haq Foundation for Freedom of Opinion and Expression and Human Rights/Egypt
  270. National Prisoner Foundation/Yemen
  271. The Middle East Foundation for Development and Human Rights (Yemen)
  272. Addameer Foundation for Human Rights/ Palestine
  273. Addameer Foundation for Prisoners Care and Human Rights /Palestine
  274. Al-Tayeb Foundation for Relief and Development / Yemen
  275. Justice and Citizenship Foundation for Human Rights/ Egypt
  276. The Arab Foundation to support Civil Society and Human Rights/Egypt
  277. The Egyptian Foundation for Family Development / Egypt
  278. Al-Maaref Foundation for Social Development/Yemen
  279. National Foundation to Combat Human Trafficking/Yemen
  280. Ensan Foundation for Human Development and Democratic Transition/Libya
  281. Tadweer Youth Foundation for Environment and Development/ Yemen
  282. Future Partners Foundation for Development and Human Rights - Yemen
  283. Amel International Foundation/Lebanon
  284. Justice Foundation for Human Rights / Yemen
  285. Egyptian Women's Issues Foundation
  286. Mada Foundation for Human Rights / Iraq
  287. Press Club / Morocco
  288. The National Commission for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Rule of Law- Independence / Palestine
  289. The International Commission for Supporting the Rights of the Palestinian People
  290. Sahel Authority for the Defense of Human Rights/Mauritania
  291. Moroccan Commission for Human Rights
  292. The Moroccan Commission for the Support of the Nation's Issues