Freedom is My Decision
Jerusalem24 – Palestinian prisoners suffer from Israeli suppressive measures, which are well seen in administrative detention, as well as the brutal treatment and torture in the Israeli jails and courts.
Administrative detention is a policy implemented by Israel by virtue of which Palestinian individuals are transferred to an indefinite detention, as detainees are incarcerated with knowing neither the time limit of their punishment, nor the evidence or charge they are accused of.
On their way to obtain their freedom, Palestinians resist these measures in jails by all means, mainly through hunger strikes and boycott campaigns.
Hundreds of Palestinian prisoners have gone on hunger strikes throughout the years. Hisham Abu Hawwash, for instance, spent 141 days on a hunger strike 2020. Kayed al-Fasfous spent 131, Miqdad al-Qawasmi 113, and Alaa al-Aaraj 103 days in 2021. Maher al-Akhras spent 100 in 2020, and Hiba al-Labadi spent 35 or more in 2019, and the list goes on.
500 administrative detainees continue a move they started 38 days ago, as a response to the measures of their unjustified detention and its policies. They believe the boycott of the so-called Israeli Supreme Court, Court of First Instance and Military Tribunal.
“We aim to put an end to the unjust administrative detention practiced against our people by the occupation forces”, said one administrative detainee.
Administrative detention is considered a form of psychological torture and dehumanization method of Palestinians. It is a humanitarian crime, even a war crime, in accordance with the Rome Charter.
Administrative detention is one policy that violates the international charters that call for people’s right to freedom. Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) states that everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security.
________
This story was written by Haneen Estetieh & Rand Sadder (interns at Jerusalem24), edited by Jerusalem24 team.