Israel/occupied territories: ICRC extremely concerned about health of Palestinian hunger strikers
17-08-2013 News Release
Geneva/Jerusalem (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is extremely concerned about the worsening health of seven Palestinian detainees who are on long-term hunger strike. The ICRC is particularly worried about Imad Abdelaziz Abdallah Batran, who has been on hunger strike for several weeks.
"The life of hunger striker Imad Batran is at immediate risk unless the detaining authorities find a prompt solution," said Juan Pedro Schaerer, the head of the ICRC delegation in Israel and the occupied territories. Any solution has to take into consideration the fact that, under resolutions adopted by the World Medical Association, detainees are entitled to freely choose whether to consent to be fed or to receive medical treatment. It is essential that their choice be respected and their dignity preserved.
Since the hunger strikes began, ICRC delegates and medical staff have regularly visited the detainees to monitor their health and the way they are treated. The ICRC has also helped their families to maintain contact with them.
For further information, please contact:
Jon Martin Larsen, ICRC Jerusalem, tel: +972 52 601 91 50
Nadia Dibsy, ICRC Jerusalem, tel: +972 52 601 91 48
Ran Goldstein, ICRC Tel Aviv, tel: +972 52 27 57 517
Philippe Stoll, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 34 43