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PCHR - Palestinian Centre for Human Rights:
IOF Arrest two palestinian patients at Beit Hanoun Crossing
Lundi, 5 décembre 2011 - 16h05
Monday 5 December 2011
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The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) strongly condemns the arrest of two Palestinian patients by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) while travelling via Beit Hanoun (Erez) crossing to receive medical treatment in hospitals in the West Bank. PCHR is concerned that these two Palestinian patients may be subjected to torture, especially as IOF prevented PCHR lawyers from visiting them.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, on 30 November 2011, IOF arrested Ahmed Khamis Akkila, 25, from al-Shati refugee camp, as he arrived at Beit Hanoun crossing after the Palestinian Ministry of Health’s Civil Liaison Office received a request from IOF to make an interview with Akkila, in order to allow him to travel for treatment in St. John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem.
On 24 November, IOF positioned at Beit Hanoun crossing arrested Eyad Shaaban Dawwas, 39, from Beit Lahia, while he was on his way back to Gaza after having received medical treatment at al-Muttala’ (Augusta Victoria) Hospital in Jerusalem.
As part of PCHR’s legal follow-up of the two cases, PCHR lawyers were informed that Akkila and Dawwas were transferred to Ashkelon Prison inside Israel. PCHR is concerned that Akkila and Dawwas may be subjected to torture or other forms of cruel and degrading treatment, especially as IOF have prevented PCHR lawyers from visiting them and checking their health and legal situation. No justification for this prevention was provided to PCHR. On 01 December 2011, a PCHR lawyer submitted an application to IOF requesting permission to visit Akkila, but IOF told PCHR that Akkila is denied visitation rights until 07 December 2011. On 30 November, a similar application was submitted to IOF requesting permission to visit Dawwas, but IOF informed PCHR that Dawwas is denied his visitation right until 11 December 2011.
PCHR notes that the continuation of the policy adopted by IOF to arrest Palestinian patients constitutes a flagrant violation of the international humanitarian law, and a form of cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment. This policy coincides with the continued illegal closure imposed on the Gaza Strip which aggravates the crisis of Palestinian patients who cannot be provided medical treatment in the Gaza Strip.
It should be noted that the above reported incidents are not the first of their kind. IOF adopts the policy of extorting individuals and patients travelling via Beit Hanoun which is the only crossing connecting the Gaza Strip with Israel and the West Bank.
In view of the above, PCHR:
1. Strongly condemns IOF’s continued policy to arrest Palestinian patients while travelling for medical treatment. PCHR calls for immediate release of the detained patients and for guarantees that the patients’ lives will not be endangered;
2. Reiterates that targeting patients, abusing their need to receive treatment in hospitals in Israel or the West Bank and extorting them constitute serious human rights violations;
3. Calls upon the international community, including the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention, to fulfill their obligations and take immediate action in order to put an end to violations of international law committed by IOF against Palestinian civilians.
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