EU: Israel to respect obligation towards Palestinian prisoners

EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said she is following with concern reports about deteriorating health condition of Ayman Sharawna, Samer Issawi, Jafar Ezzedin and Tareq Qaadan, Palestinians in Israeli detention who have been on an extended hunger strike. "The EU calls on the government of Israel to allow for the immediate restoration of their family visiting rights and calls for the full respect of international human rights obligations towards all Palestinian detainees and prisoners," said Michael Mann, spokesman for Ashton, in a statement here Saturday. "The High Representative reiterates the EUs longstanding concern about the extensive use by Israel of administrative detention orders, which currently apply to Jafar Ezzedin and Tareq Qaa'dan," it said. "Under international law, detainees have the right to be informed about the reasons underlying any detention and to have the legality of their detention determined without undue delay," noted the statement. The EU called upon Israel to bring formal charges against any individuals detained, with a view to bringing them to a fair trial without undue delay.