[ 05/07/2011 – 12:18 PM ]

OSLO, (PIC)– The European network for the support of Palestinian prisoners (Ufree) based in Oslo has condemned Israel’s continued targeting of prisoners’ rights activists as Israeli officials have announced tightening measures against Palestinian prisoners.
Ufree said Israel’s ongoing detention of senior Palestinian rights activist Fuad al-Khuffash since 28 June came in the framework of Israel’s constant tendency to harass and intimidate and prevent support for the rights of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
In a statement, Ufree said it has been in contact with many rights groups to ensure Khuffash’s safety and called on the UN Human Rights Council to pressure Israel to release the activist.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials have announced steps to tighten conditions on Palestinian prisoners in a bid to pressure Hamas into releasing captured Israeli prisoner Gilad Shalit outside of a prisoner exchange deal.
Former Palestinian prisoners’ affairs minister Wasfi Qabaha, who is also currently in Israeli custody, has condemned Netanyahu’s announcement as “sadistic”, and said the steps were aimed at draining decades of achievements by Palestinian prisoners and dozens of martyrs in a struggle for prisoner rights.
Qabaha added that the prisons are on the verge of a flash point after Netanyahu’s statements and as prisoners are still subject to search policies and violations of dignity and they are denied basic rights guaranteed by international conventions.
He said that prisoners from all political backgrounds have united in order to confront and thwart Israel’s recent policies on prisoners.
Qabaha has been denied the right to see his 18-year-old brother although they are only separated by a single wall.

July 5, 2011 
































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