Urgent Appeal: Nahar Al-Saadi enters his 26th day of hunger strike after being held in solitary confinement for over 570 continuous days under inhumane conditions
Ramallah-Jaffa, 12 December 2014 — Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-IL), and Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association are gravely concerned for the health of Palestinian political prisoner Nahar Al-Saadi, who has been on hunger strike for 26 days in protest of his prolonged solitary confinement.
Background
Nahar Al-Saadi (32 years old) was arrested on 18 September 2003. In February 2013, he was transferred to Jalameh interrogation center, where he was interrogated for 30 consecutive days. He reported being subjected to torture and ill treatment during the interrogation, including questioning for up to 22 hours at a time, threats to be put in isolation and shackled in stress positions
On 20 May 2013, the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) transferred Mr. Al-Saadi to solitary confinement, where he has been detained since.Mr. Al-Saadi complains of the harsh conditions imposed on him, including being detained in inhumane cells, being allowed into the yard for only one hour a day, and denial of family visits. Mr. Al-Saadi has gone on hunger strike several times in the past to protest solitary confinement and its conditions, and to request his right to family visits, especially from his mother. The Israeli Authorities verbally promised to release him from solitary confinement to normal prison cellswith other prisoners; but have reneged on their promise several times.
The United Nations Special Rapportuer on Torture details the severe psychological effects of solitary confinement, including that it causes “psychotic disturbances”… anxiety, depression, anger, cognitive disturbances, perceptual distortions, paranoia and psychosis and self-harm.[1]" Solitary confinement can also cause physiological damage. Prisoners often develop "gastroenterology, vascular, urinary and reproductive system illnesses as well as suffer from sleep disturbances and extreme fatigue. They also complain of tremors, recurrences of heart palpitations, recurrences of excessive perspiration"[2].
Mr. Al-Saadi’s Prolonged Solitary Confinement is Torture
The Special Rapporteur on Torture defines prolonged solitary confinement as torture or cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment (CIDT): "The adverse acute and latent psychological and physiological effects of prolonged solitary confinement constitute severe mental pain or suffering. Thus the Special Rapporteur concurs […] that prolonged solitary confinement amounts to acts prohibited by article 7 of the Covenant, and consequently to an act as defined in article 1 or article 16 of the Convention. For these reasons, the Special Rapporteur reiterates that, in his view, any imposition of solitary confinement beyond 15 days constitutes torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, depending on the circumstances"[3].
Mr. Al-Saadi has been held in solitary confinementfor one year and seven months, which amounts to more than 570 days. This period is 38 times higher than the period identified by the Special Rapporteur on Torture or CIDT. In these circumstances, Mr. Al-Saadi was left with no choice but to initiate a hunger strike to demand his rights.
In 2012, Palestinian detainees initiated a 28-day mass hunger strike calling for the end of solitary confinement among other demands. Despite the ISA agreement to do so, the policy continues to be used systematically. Nahar Al-Saadi is one of twenty Palestinian detainees currently held in long-term solitary confinement since the mass hunger strike. It is important to note that solitary confinement is also used a punitive measure against the detainees. Although they are isolated for shorter periods of time, the psychological and physical consequences are still grave.
Hunger Strike
On 20 November 2014, one day after a hearing in the Lod District Court to renew his confinement, Mr. Al-Saadi announced a hunger strike in protest of his solitary confinement. He is now detained in Ramleh Prison Clinic in the isolation section. He describes his condition as extremely difficult: he has lost approximately 15 kilos and suffers from muscle back pains, abdominal pain and stomach problems. His cell is in poor condition and monitors him on surveillance cameras 24 hours a day. On 10 December 2014, he told his lawyer that he has stopped taking supplements and refuses medical exams to protest the confiscation of his belongings.
Mr. Al-Saadi suffers from previous health problems that have further deteriorated as a result of prolonged isolation and hunger strike. He suffers from scoliosis, abdominal pain and chronic digestive problems. Mr. Al-Saadi’s has repeatedly requested from medical treatment, which has been denied by the IPS medical staff.
PHR-I and Addameer ask for your immediate intervention to:
· Immediately remove Nahar Al-Saadi from solitary confinement, as it is illegal under international law.
· Reinstate regular family visits for Nahar Al-Saadi.
· Immediate transfer of Nahar Al-Saadi to a public hospital for adequate and fit medical follow up from an independent doctor
· End the practice of solitary confinement and release all prisoners from solitary confinement.
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Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association
P. O. Box: 17338, Jerusalem
Tel:
+972 (0)2 296 0446 / 297 0136
Fax: +972 (0)2 296 0447
Email: info@addameer.ps
Website: www.addameer.org
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