{"id":316465,"date":"2026-03-24T14:47:43","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T18:47:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&p=316465"},"modified":"2026-04-02T15:02:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T19:02:19","slug":"un-experts-demand-immediate-release-of-dr-abu-safiya-after-reports-of-severe-torture","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/un-experts-demand-immediate-release-of-dr-abu-safiya-after-reports-of-severe-torture\/","title":{"rendered":"UN experts demand immediate release of Dr Abu Safiya after reports of \u201csevere torture”"},"content":{"rendered":"

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24 March 2026<\/p>\n

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GENEVA<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 Israel must immediately release Gazan doctor Dr Hussam Abu Safiya and ensure he is granted access to medical examination and treatment, UN experts* said today, after they received new reports that he had been subjected to \u201csevere torture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have received reports that Dr Abu Safiya has been subjected to torture and other cruel and degrading treatment, and that his health condition remains dire,\u201d the experts said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe conditions of his detention appear to be flagrantly arbitrary and manifestly inconsistent with the Mandela Rules, which establish the obligation of states to ensure prisoners have access to healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dr Abu Safiya, who is the former director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza, has been detained by Israeli military forces since 27 December 2024, under Israel\u2019s unlawful combatant law, despite his status as a civilian medical practitioner. \u201cWe have repeatedly stressed that this law violates human rights and humanitarian law.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has been systematically denied critical medical examination and treatment, and deprived of essential care to such an extent that his life, health, and wellbeing have been gravely endangered,\u201d the experts said.<\/p>\n

They recalled that all States have an international obligation to respect and protect health and care workers. \u201cStates must protect the wounded and sick in their care while they are in custody.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cViolence against healthcare workers, destruction of health facilities, and underlying determinants of health continue unabated despite a so-called ceasefire in Gaza,\u201d the experts said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs Israel\u2019s prisoner, Dr Abu Safiya, a highly respected Palestinian medical administrator and paediatrician, has suffered an arbitrary deprivation of liberty, violation of his human rights, including the right of every human being to be free from torture and ill treatment, and his right to health is being eroded,\u201d the experts said.<\/p>\n

\u201cStates have the power to end his torment, and we call on them to use it,\u201d they said. \u201cIt is incumbent upon states with influence on Israel and the international community to use all avenues to ensure prevention, recourse and justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIsrael must release Dr Abu Safiya and all health care workers, and ensure they have access to appropriate medical care.\u201d<\/p>\n

The experts have been in contact with the Government of Israel on this issue.<\/p>\n

To learn more about Special Procedures of the UN Human Rights Council and the Question of Palestine, click here to visit the dedicated webpage.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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*The experts:<\/strong><\/p>\n