Refworld Case Law Collection Survey
Concern about deteriorating health of Palestinian detainees hospitalized in Israel
| Publisher | International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) |
| Publication Date | 18 November 2016 |
| Cite as | International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Concern about deteriorating health of Palestinian detainees hospitalized in Israel, 18 November 2016, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/583853274.html [accessed 1 January 2017] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is concerned about the deteriorating health of Anas Shadid and Ahmad Abu Farra, who have been hospitalized in Israel. The two Palestinian detainees have been on hunger strike for more than 50 days.
"At this critical time, we urge the patients, their representatives and the competent authorities to find a solution that will avoid any loss of life or irreversible damage to the detainees' health," said Dr Hishal, an ICRC medical doctor who has regularly visited the detainees on hunger strike.
ICRC delegates and medical staff continue to visit Anas Shadid and Ahmad Abu Farra in order to monitor their medical condition and their treatment by the prison and medical authorities, as per international rules and ethical standards, specifically the 1991 World Medical Association Declaration of Malta on Hunger Strikers. The ICRC is in close contact with their families and keeps them informed of developments, in accordance with the detainees' wishes, as well as transmitting personal news between them and their loved ones.
During their regular visits to detention facilities, ICRC staff seek to ensure that all detainees on hunger strike are treated humanely in accordance with the Fourth Geneva Convention, are fully aware of the implications of their decision, and are acting on their own initiative and of their own free will.
