PHM-Exch> Palestine: Imminent Danger to Hunger Strikers

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Hadas Ziv <hadas at phr.org.il>
PHR Israel

www.phr.org.il


<http://www.phr.org.il/>

**Imminent Danger to Hunger Strikers Al-Barq, (104th day) & Safadi (74th
day)








*Ramallah-Jaffa*, *2 September 2012 —* Addameer Prisoner Support and Human
Rights Association, Al-Haq and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-IL)
fear for the lives of the three remaining Palestinian hunger strikers held
by Israel. Of utmost concern are the health conditions of administrative
detainees *Samer Al-Barq*, today on his *104th day of renewed hunger
strike*following his previous 30-day hunger strike, and
*Hassan Safadi*, today on his *74th day of renewed hunger strike* following
his previous 71-day hunger strike.

According to Addameer lawyer Fares Ziad following his visit to Ramleh
prison medical clinic on 30 August, Samer was too weak to meet with him and
could not get out of bed. Mr. Ziad met with Hassan and fellow hunger
striker Ayman Sharawna, who is on his 64th day of hunger strike today.
During their visit, Hassan told Mr. Ziad that both he and Samer had
recently been taken to Assaf Harofeh hospital for a few days due to the
further deterioration of their conditions and doctors informed them that
their lives were under immediate threat.

Hassan was taken to Assaf Harofeh for testing from 27-29 August.
Troublingly, Hassan was told by the doctors in the hospital that the tests
revealed that his immunity level has fallen dangerously low; there is fluid
in his lungs; and he has developed problems in his liver and kidneys
including  kidney stones.

During his visit with *Ayman Sharawna*, Mr. Ziad learned that prison
doctors informed Ayman that his life is also at risk. Ayman noted that in
addition to very low immunity levels and cirrhosis in his liver, he suffers
from terrible joint pain and back pain from previous chronic conditions,
and that the *IPS doctors refuse to give him pain medication until he stops
his hunger strike*.

*
*

*Akram Rikhawi* ended his hunger strike on 22 July after 102 days, upon
reaching an agreement with the IPS to be released in January 2013.
Following a visit to Akram on 25 July, the PHR-IL doctor recommended
Akram's immediate referral to a public hospital and to be immediately
examined by a lung specialist. *To date, this recommendation has not been
implemented*.


Samer is now the longest hunger striker in Palestinian history. He and
Hassan have reached very critical stages in their prolonged hunger strikes,
with doctors noting that they are at immediate risk of death. Nonetheless,
Israel not only insists on the injustice of depriving them of their right
to fair trial, but also continues to severely mistreat them, in the forms
of physical brutality and psychological torture that is employed by the
Israeli Prison Service (IPS) to get them to break their strikes.

Despite their severe medical conditions, both Samer and Hassan are still
denied family visits and access to independent physicians and independent
medical care. Addameer, Al-Haq and PHR-IL are outraged by the IPS’ practice
of approving visits by independent doctors only after court orders are
issued.

*In light of the severe deterioration of the health conditions of the
remaining Palestinian detainees on hunger strike, Addameer, Al-Haq and
PHR-IL urge the international community to immediately intervene on their
behalf and demand:*
·         That the agreements reached on 14 and 15 May 2012 be respected,
including the release of administrative detainees who were promised release
at the end of their current orders;
·         Unrestricted access for independent physicians to all hunger
strikers;
·         The immediate transfer of Samer Al-Barq and Hassan Safadi, as
well as all other hunger strikers, to public hospitals;
·         That no hunger striker be shackled while hospitalized;
·         That all hunger strikers be allowed family visits, while they are
still lucid;
·         That Hassan Safadi and Samer Al-Barq, along with all other
administrative detainees, in addition to Ayman Sharawna and other detainees
that were released as part of the prisoner exchange deal in October 2011 be
immediately and unconditionally released.
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