EU expresses concern over health of Palestinian on hunger strike, Israel's administrative detention
The European Union has expressed serious concern over the deteriorating health condition of a Palestinian man on a hunger strike for 96 days since his arrest by Israeli military forces in late July.
European Commission spokesperson for foreign affairs issues Peter Stano, in a statement released on Friday, said the bloc is closely monitoring the situation of 49-year-old Maher al-Akhras, who was arrested near the occupied northern West Bank city of Nablus and placed in administrative detention – a form of imprisonment without trial or charge, allowing authorities to incarcerate Palestinians for up to six months. The duration could be extended for an infinite number of times.
The father of six launched his strike to protest the policy.
“Regardless of allegations against Mr. al-Akhras, the European Union reiterates its long-standing concerns about Israel’s extensive of administrative detention without formal charges,” Stano said.
He added, “Around 350 Palestinians are currently being held in administrative detention. Detainees have the right to be informed about the charges underlying any detention and be subject to a fair trial.”
The senior EU official then called on the Israeli regime to fully respect international humanitarian law as well as its human rights obligations towards all prisoners, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, and to do all it can to ensure the health of al-Akhras.
Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the besieged Gaza Strip have held several demonstrations to demand the release of al-Akhras. They have also organized sit-ins and launched online campaigns to show their support for him.
His lawyers have appealed on multiple occasions to the so-called Israeli Supreme Court for his freedom.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh has also demanded his immediate release.
More than 7,000 Palestinian prisoners are currently held in some 17 Israeli jails, with dozens of them serving multiple life sentences.
Over 350 detainees, including women and minors, are under Israel’s administrative detention.
The detention takes place on orders from a military commander and on the basis of what the Israeli regime describes as ‘secret’ evidence.
Some prisoners have been held in administrative detention for up to 11 years.
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