Human rights bodies warn of death of Palestinian prisoners

Several European and Middle Eastern human rights organizations cautioned Sunday of the possible death of three Palestinian prisoners who have been on a hunger strike for over three months. They urged the UN to live up to responsibility by moving immediately to save the Palestinian prisoners, especially Samer Al-Barraq, who has been on a hunger strike for 117 days. These human rights bodies include Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network in Geneva, Friends of Humanity International in Vienna, and Palestinian Justice Center in Stockholm. They also warned that the Palestinian prisoners are facing serious health problems due to their hunger strike. They cited medical reports as alarming that the Palestinian prisoners could face death of incurable diseases if they continue their hunger strike. The human rights organizations called on the UN to put its squeeze on Israel to stop the illegal detention of Palestinians and to find an urgent settlement to save the lives of Palestinian prisoners. Meanwhile, Palestinian Minister of Prisoners' Affairs Issa Qaraqea said Egypt agreed to receive one of the Palestinian prisoners as his health condition is seriously deteriorating.