UN Humanitarian Coordinator for OPT concerned about Israel’s continued practice of administrative detention – UNSCO statement

Statement by the United Nations Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance and Development Aid,

Robert Piper, on Israel’s continued practice of administrative detention

Jerusalem, 2 February 2016

“I am deeply concerned about the continued practice of administrative detention in Israeli jails and detention centers.

In particular, I am alarmed by the rapidly deteriorating health of Palestinian administrative detainee, Mohammed Al-Qiq, who is on hunger strike in protest against the arbitrary nature of his detention and ill-treatment.

According to data from Israel Prison Service (IPS), 527 Palestinians, including one woman and five minors were held in administrative detention in IPS facilities at the end of November 2015.

After 69 days of hunger strike, Mr. Al-Qiq is in a dangerous state of health and his physicians have informed him of the possibility of irreversible damage. I reiterate the United Nations’ long-standing position that all administrative detainees – Palestinian or Israeli – should be charged or released without delay. All allegations of ill-treatment must also be independently and promptly investigated.”

ENDS

http://www.unsco.org/Documents/Statements/SC/2016/Statement%20by%20UN%20Coordinator%20for%20Humanitarian%20Assistance%20and%20Development%20Aid%20Robert%20Piper%20-%202%20February%202016.pdf