UN meets over Palestinian political prisoners in Israel

The Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People will convene the United Nations International Meeting on the Question of Palestine on April 3-4, 2012 at the United Nations Offices in Geneva. The theme of the meeting is "The question of Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention facilities: legal and political implications." The meeting follows the event held in March 2011 at the United Nations Office in Vienna on the same topic and aims at raising further awareness of the situation of Palestinian political prisoners and mobilizing the determination of the international community to bring this issue to a solution, namely their speedy release and reintegration into the Palestinian society. The meeting will discuss legal and humanitarian aspects of the arrests and detentions of Palestinians by the Occupying Power, and consider the status of Palestinian prisoners in international law. It will also consider the issue of Palestinian political prisoners in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian political process and discuss ways of strengthening the role of the wider international community, as well as non-governmental actors in promoting a solution. The Meeting is being organized in keeping with General Assembly resolutions 66/14 and 66/15 of November 30, 2011. Invited to the meeting will be representatives of United Nations members and observers, other intergovernmental organizations, United Nations system entities, members of the academic community, representatives of civil society organizations, as well as the media. Statements are expected to be made by Deputy United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Maxwell Gaylard on behalf of the United Nations Secretary-General; Chairman of the Committee Abdou Salam Diallo; and Palestinian Minister for Prisoners' Affairs Issa Qaraqe as the representative of Palestine. Minister Qaraqe will also deliver the keynote presentation later in the morning session. The session will provide insight into the situation of imprisoned members of vulnerable groups such as women, minors, and sick persons, and the urgency of their protection; the need for international action regarding the illegal incarceration of parliamentarians; and the issue of re-integration of the Palestinian prisoners released in 2011. Speakers include Legal Consultant at Defense for Children International Khaled Quzmar; Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council Ahmed Shreem; Deputy Secretary-General of the International Commission of Jurists Jan Borgen; Director-General of the Rehabilitation Programme at the Palestinian Ministry of Prisoners' Affairs Mohammad Albatta; and Psycho-Social Supervisor of the Rehabilitation Programme at the Young Men's Christian Association Lama Odeh Sharif. During the meeting, experts and participants will discuss the status of "prisoner of war" in international law and its application to Palestinian political prisoners; the issue of political prisoners at the International Court of Justice, including past precedents and options for the case of Palestinian prisoners; UN procedures and mechanisms to address the issue of political prisoners; the General Assembly, Human Rights Council, and Treaty Bodies; and available legal mechanisms to ensure compliance with international humanitarian and human rights laws.(