11,000 Colombian prisoners on hunger strike for better conditions

Aug. 17, 2012 Libcom.org

More than 11,000 Colombian prisoners across 21 jails are now over two weeks into a hunger strike and other acts of resistance.

They are demanding the following:
1) Declare a state of emergency in the country’s correctional facilities and install a National Board of Consultation with inmate representation to develop a plan to address prison conditions.

2) End overcrowding

3) End filthy and unhealthy prison conditions and maintain an adequate system of healthcare.
The prison system in Colombia has been given advice and money from the United States, which has resulted in a legacy of repression and mistreatment.

Water and food within the prison system is in short supply, and is often not fit for human consumption – some of which has been found to contain evidence of faces. In many jails, prisoners still have to shit and piss in buckets or plastic bags

Within recent years, overcrowding in Columbian jails has risen enormously (up to 40% in some areas). The prison estate has a maximum capacity for 78,000 people, yet there are at least 134,000 people currently incarcerated.

Also rising rapidly is the torture and ill treatment of prisoners, and in particularly - political prisoners.
Colombia recognises three types of ‘political prisoner’:

1) Prisoners of conscience - people arrested for political activities and charged with such crimes as, “Rebellion”.

2) Victims of set-ups – persons arrested for political reasons based on false testimonies.

3) Prisoners of war. An estimated 1,000 political prisoners are members of guerrilla groups.
Political prisoners (Colombia has 10,000) are kept in severely restricted conditions. They are often kept in solitary confinement, prevented from sending or receiving mail and the only human contact they are allowed is with prison officers.

Urgent: Hunger striker Hassan Safadi’s head violently slammed against cell door by prison guards

Joint Press Release, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Al-Haq and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel
 

Ramallah, 16 August 2012 – Palestinian hunger strikers Hassan Safadi and Samer Al-Barq continue to be severely mistreated by the Israeli Prison Service (IPS), in the forms of physical brutality and psychological torture. Addameer, Al-Haq and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-I) express their utmost outrage at recent violent incidents that have left these already-weakened detainees on protracted hunger strikes with trauma and injury. Mr. Al-Barq is today on his 87^th day of hunger strike, which he began only one week after his previous 30-day hunger strike ended; Mr. Safadi is today on his 57^th day of hunger strike, which he also began shortly after the end of his previous 71-day hunger strike. 

In a visit with Addameer lawyer Fares Ziad on 14 August, Mr. Safadi recounted the most recent violent incident, which had occurred the previous day. At approximately 9:00 am on 13 August, IPS guards entered the isolation room that Mr. Safadi shares with fellow administrative detainee Mr. Al-Barq in Ramleh prison medical clinic and announced their intentions to move the two hunger strikers to a room with other prisoners in the medical clinic who are not on hunger strike. Mr. Safadi and Mr. Al-Barq refused the transfer, as they considered it an attempt to further pressure them to break their hunger strikes by surrounding them with individuals who would be regularly eating in front of them.

 

After refusing to be moved, the Israeli prison guards attacked both Mr. Safadi and Mr. Al-Barq. During the attack, Mr. Safadi’s head was slammed against the iron door of the cell two times, causing him to fall to the ground, unconscious. Prison guards then dragged him through the hall to be seen by all the other prisoners. Later that night, at around 10:00 pm, Mr. Safadi and Mr. Al-Barq were taken to a new isolation room with no mattresses. 

 

As a result of this cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, Mr. Safadi subsequently announced that he would no longer be drinking water, which had so far been his only sustenance throughout his hunger strike. To protest the IPS’s brutality, the other prisoners in Ramleh also began to return their meals.

 

Mr. Safadi and Mr. Al-Barq both remain on hunger strike in protest against their administrative detention orders being renewed following the conclusion of Palestinian prisoners’ mass hunger strike in May. Mr. Safadi had been explicitly included in the agreement ending the hunger strike and had been guaranteed his release following the expiration of his order at the time - a promise that was not kept. A final decision regarding Mr. Safadi’s extension has been consistently postponed by an Israeli military judge and has not been reached to date.

 

Two other Palestinian detainees in Israeli prison are also currently on hunger strike: Ayman Sharawna and Samer Al-Issawi, on days 47 and 16, respectively. Both detainees were former prisoners who were released in last October’s prisoner exchange deal and subsequently re-arrested. They are being held based on secret information and view their hunger strikes as their only tool to protest against their re-arrest.

 

Addameer, Al-Haq and PHR-I insist that the international community intervene with the relevant Israeli authorities and demand an immediate investigation into these and other condemnable acts taken against prisoners on hunger strike in attempts to break them.

 

Addameer, Al-Haq and PHR-I specifically call on:

• the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union to take action in the strongest manner possible to save the lives of the hunger strikers and prevent any future mistreatment;
• European Parliament members to bring these cases to the attention of relevant Israeli authorities without delay and to send a fact-finding mission to examine the conditions of detention of Palestinians arbitrarily held in Israeli prisons;
• High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention and all UN Member States to put immediate pressure on Israel to abide by international humanitarian and human rights law and end its policy of arbitrary detention, and to abide by the standard rules for the treatment of prisoners adopted in 1955, which set out what is generally accepted as being decent principle and practice in the treatment of prisoners. 

Doctor and lawyer visits to hunger strikers reveal mistreatment by Israeli Prison Service

Joint Press Release, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Al-Haq and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel

Ramallah-Jaffa, 7 August 2012 — Four Palestinian political prisoners in Israeli detention remain steadfast in their open hunger strikes as their health conditions continue to deteriorate. Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Al-Haq and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-IL) are particularly concerned for the lives of administrative detainees Samer Al-Barq and Hassan Safadi, who have been on protracted hunger strikes and are subject to consistent mistreatment at the hands of the Israeli Prison Service (IPS).

Addameer lawyer Fares Ziad visited Mr. Al-Barq and Mr. Safadi in Ramleh prison medical center two days ago, 5 August, and a PHR-IL doctor was also able to visit them on 2 August.

Mr. Al-Barq is currently on his 78^th day of renewed hunger strike, directly following his previous 30-day hunger strike. According to an affidavit taken by Mr. Ziad, Mr. Al-Barq was transferred from Ramleh to Ofer military court on 31 July by IPS special forces, or Nahshon, known for their particularly brutal treatment of prisoners during transfers. During this transfer, the special forces ordered Mr. Al-Barq to walk, and when he told them that he could not, they beat him on his legs. They eventually brought him a wheelchair but did not help him, so he was forced to crawl to the chair and wheel it himself.

Mr. Safadi, who is now on his 48^th day of renewed hunger strike, following his previous 71-day hunger strike, also recounted a disturbing incident to Mr. Ziad. On 30 July, five Israeli soldiers raided his room. They first tore his pillow before starting to insult him and beat him all over his body, leaving his left leg injured. Mr. Safadi noted that his room is searched three or four times each day in a violent manner, though he is held in a small isolation cell with only his clothes. He and Mr. Al-Barq are now held together in this cell, which is only about 1.5 by 1.8 meters in size, with no windows or ventilation.

Mr. Safadi elaborated to the PHR-IL doctor it was only after he complained to guards that it was hard to breathe in his cell that they immediately brought Mr. Al-Barq to share the tiny cell with him. Furthermore, there is no space in the room for the wheelchair that is being used by both hunger strikers for everyday activities, including the use of shower and toilet. After he again protested these conditions and treatment, he and Mr. Al-Barq were both beaten.

In the PHR-IL doctor’s visit on 2 August, the IPS doctor noted that Mr. Al-Barq and Mr. Safadi are often refusing any treatments such as minerals and vitamins. Both of them told the doctor that they are doing so as a last resort to protest against the humiliating and violent treatment by IPS staff. Since Ramadan began on 20 July, they drink water only at night. The two hunger strikers are also refusing to give blood tests during Ramadan due to religious adherence. During the visit, the IPS would not allow the independent doctor to examine the hunger strikers without the presence of IPS staff, in violation of the Israeli Patients’ Rights Law. An IPS paramedic was present in the examination room and at some point also brought other patients into the room.

The PHR-IL doctor commented following the visit that there is “reason to believe that in the future the health of the two strikers will deteriorate, and therefore their condition requires special attention and close monitoring.” He further noted that he believed the hunger strikers should be examined by an impartial doctor once a week, without any restrictions such as needing court orders for permission.

Notably, two other Palestinian political prisoners are also currently on hunger strike: Ayman Sharawna and Samer Al-Issawi, on days 38 and 7 respectively. Both were released in last October’s prisoner exchange deal and subsequently re-arrested.
     

The doctor reported that both Mr. Al-Barq and Mr. Safadi were fully conscious and aware during the visit. Though during the past days he was accepting some minerals and vitamins, Mr. Al-Barq told the doctor that he plans to stop all treatment because of the beating. He suffers from weakness and general pain in his body with no specific origin. Due to a slow pulse he was sent to the emergency room in Assaf Harofeh hospital but was released without recommendations for treatment. Mr. Safadi currently suffers from vertigo, especially when he attempts to stand, and pain on the left side of his rib cage.

   

Addameer, Al-Haq and PHR-IL are outraged by the mistreatment and violent attacks on Palestinian prisoners in general, and especially in the cases of these fragile hunger strikers. Addameer, Al-Haq and PHR-IL urge the international community to intervene with Israel on behalf of these detainees before their conditions deteriorate even further and demand:

• that the agreements reached on 14 and 15 May 2012 be respected, including the release of administrative detainees who were promised release at the end of their current orders;
• that the terms of the prisoner exchange deal be fully respected and that prisoners released in the deal not be rearrested by Israel;
• that Hassan Safadi, Samer Al-Barq and Omar Abu Shalal,  along with all other administrative detainees, be immediately and unconditionally released;
• unrestricted access for independent physicians to all hunger strikers.

PA security arrests hunger striker Hassan Safadi’s brother

Aug. 6, 2012 Samidoun

Photo: ActiveStills/Ahmad al-Bazz

Palestinian Authority security forces arrested hunger striking prisoner Hassan Safadi’s brother, Saleh Safadi (30 years old) today, August 6, 2012, reported Addameer. Around 30 members of the PA security forces raided their home at 3:00 am and took Saleh to Jenaid prison near Nablus, without giving any reasons for the arrest. Saleh previously spent 1 year under “administrative detention” in Israeli occupation prisons in 2007.

Hassan Safadi is currently on hunger strike in Israeli prisons; he is on his 47th day of a renewed hunger strike, following an earlier 81 day hunger strike. Hassan was one of the long-term hunger strikers held in administrative detention without charge or trial who, under the agreement to end the mass prisoners hunger strike on May 14, 2012, was supposed to be released at the expiration of his term of administrative detention. This was not Hassan’s first experience in administrative detention – from 2007-2010 he was the longest serving Palestinian political prisoner under administrative detention without charge or trial.

In violation of the agreement, his administrative detention was extended for an additional six months rather than his release being secured on June 21, 2012. He immediately re-started his hunger strike in protest of this violation, demanding his immediate release and was placed in isolation. Addameer and Physicians for Human Rights have reported:

Hassan is currently being held in an isolated cell. Hassan has reported escalating pressure from the IPS to end his hunger strike. Hassan further noted that his court hearing on 25 July has been delayed again until 07 August, stressing that he is in no condition to travel 15 hours every time for the court hearings. He also reported suffering from kidney problems, sight problems, extreme weakness, severe weight loss, headaches, dizziness and has difficulty standing.

Hassan’s mother – interviewed earlier by the Electronic Intifada – was just released from hospital today, to return home to find Saleh detained as well, also without charge. Hassan himself was just assaulted by occupation forces at the beginning of the week.

Hassan is not the only hunger striker in occupation prisons – Samer al-Barq is on his 77th day of hunger strike, and Ayman Sharawna is on his 37th day. Samer Issawi announced his hunger strike on August 2, joining Ayman Sharawna, who is also protesting his re-arrest swiftly after being released in the prisoner exchange of October 2011.

Central Prisoners Vote to End Hunger Strike

August 4, 2012 Prison Books.info

 

We just received word that earlier this week prisoners at Central in Raleigh voted to end their hunger strike, started on July 16th in protest of conditions on Unit 1. We have not heard from prisoners at Bertie or Scotland. Small groups of prisoners at Foothills CI and Tabor CI have also said they have joined the protest.

The strike was organized to take aim at the fundamental conditions of sensory deprivation, psychological and physical torture, and abuse that characterize solitary confinement, and for that matter, prisons in general. It was also catalyzed by the need for law libraries for prisoners to be able to be better organize and defend themselves in the legal realm.

Some of the short term demands of prisoners, such as tools with which to clean cells, clearing the windows to the outside, and other demands have already been granted, but more significant demands have been put to the unit manager and have yet to be addressed. For the strikers involved, it seems like this strike was a way to garner much needed attention towards their conditions, as well as demonstrate to other prisoners that it is indeed possible to organize across lines of race or gang status, and to do so with meaningful support and solidarity from the outside.

At least one of the strikers, Jamey Wilkins, who has also been active in a successful lawsuit against guards, is facing reprisals for his involvement in organizing activity. Despite not having write-ups or infractions, he is being recommended for Supermax. Outside supporters are strongly encouraged to continue to call in or demonstrate on his and others’ behalf; prison officials are trying to send a warning to others who would organize or rebel, and they must be opposed resolutely.

In related news, several of the “Strong 8″ prisoners, eight men who refused to continue to work in the face of unaddressed labor grievances in Central’s kitchens, have been taken off I-Con status and allowed back to general population, despite their involvement in the hunger strike. Others have remained on solitary due to (the admin. claims) infractions.

This hunger strike has garnered a good deal of attention, and the support and solidarity of a number diverse groups. At least four solidarity demonstrations have occurred, as well as a growing swell of support from alternative and social media sources and call-in days from all over the country. So it seems appropriate to end this update with some words of thanks from the strikers with regards to outside support and protest:

“I had assumed that the strike was over until Friday when I heard it on NPR! I’m going to practice solidarity with my fellow activists abroad and push out 2 or 3 days…I really appreciate you guys on your activism and bringing things together. Stay solid!” -Foothills CI, Morganton, NC

“I’ve been housed on Unit 1 since may 15th 2009 for assault on police back in 2007. So I know all the bullshit that goes on here at central or unit 1. I heard y’all  by my cell window good around 1pm or 130 pm on Sunday, but i couldn’t understand the words that was said because everybody on unit one was kicking their cell doors.” – Central Prison, Raleigh, NC

“Keep up the good work all the up and tell everybody we do really, really appreciate all the help of stepping up for prisoners period.” – Central Prison, Raleigh, NC

“I told a couple guys about the hunger strike and we began a little something of our own. It’s only like four of us, but four is plenty!” - Tabor CI, Tabor City, NC

“Thank your for the demo! I heard it from outside. The solidarity is felt.” – Central Prison, Raleigh, NC

“We heard y’all! I was ready to go all out!” – Central Prison, Raleigh, NC

Hopefully this strike can be seen and felt as a beginning. Not to editorialize, but we would urge fellow supporters on the outside not to see this sort of flare-up as a simple quest for certain demands, like toilet brushes or cleaner windows or even law libraries. This kind of moment, even on the small scale in which it has occurred here, can only be fully understood as a struggle for dignity and freedom in the face of the largest and arguably the most brutal system of policing and human warehousing in the history of the world. The forms of these moments will grow and change: it may be a hunger strike today and a riot tomorrow, or a quiet study group the next day. But the content of these struggles, at least for some, remains a burning desire for liberty set against an institutional matrix of petty tyrannies and genocidal abuses that characterize all prisons everywhere.

Lawyer: Hunger strikers assaulted by prison authorities

Aug. 2, 2012 Ma'an

Some 2,000 prisoners held an open hunger strike in April.

 

RAMALLAH (Ma'an) -- Israeli prison authorities on Wednesday assaulted two prisoners on hunger strike, a lawyer from the Palestinian Prisoners Society said.

Jawad Boulos said that hunger strikers Samer al-Barq and Hassan Safadi had both been severely assaulted, after a visit to Ramle prison clinic on Wednesday.

"At 2 a.m., (Safadi) was in bed when jailers attacked him and forced him to stand and tore his clothes up and his mattress and pillow. When he tried to resist one of the jailers punched him in the face and fought with him until an officer intervened," Boulos said in a statement.

The prison administration transfered al-Barq to another prison. Using a wheelchair due to his poor health, guards at the jail asked him to stand up and walk, and when he was unable to they threw him to the ground, Boulos said.

He was sent to a clinic due to his health condition.

Al-Barq, 36, has been on hunger strike for 73 days and Hassan Safadi, 34, for 43 days.

Al-Barq, from Qalqiliya, went on hunger strike after his administrative detention was renewed and Safadi, from Nablus, restarted his hunger strike after his detention without charge was renewed in violation of the agreement ending a mass hunger strike in May.

Some 2,000 prisoners went on hunger strike in April until reaching a deal a month later when Israeli authorities pledged not to renew administrative detention orders among other agreements.

North Carolina Prisoners Launch Hunger Strike

August 1, 2012 Solitary Watch

by Sal Rodriguez

Central Prison in Raleigh, North Carolina

On July 16th, inmates at Central Prison, Bertie Correctional Institution and Scotland Correctional Institution launched a hunger strike in protest of various prison conditions, including solitary confinement.  North Carolina Department of Corrections currently holds over 7,000 inmates out of approximately 36,000 in “Close Custody.” Among these are inmates are those held in Maximum Control, Protective Custody, Disciplinary Segregation and Intensive Control. Maximum security units are described this way by the DOC:

Inmates confined in a maximum security unit typically are in their cell 23 hours a day. During the other hour they may be allowed to shower and exercise in the cellblock or an exterior cage. All inmate movement is strictly controlled with the use of physical restraints and correctional officer escort.

Prison officials at Central Prison indicated on July 28th that only seven hunger strikers remained, but that the number fluctuated with inmates joining and stopping. The strikers are all Close Custody inmates and are held in their cell for 23 hours a day in isolation. As many as 100 inmates were reported to have participated since the launch of the strike.
Demands of the strikers include:

• “The end of cell restriction. Sometimes prisoners are locked in their cell for weeks or more than a month, unable to come out for showers and recreation.”
• “An immediate end to the physical and mental abuse inflicted by officers.”
• “Education programs for prisoners on lock-up”
• “The levels of I-Con, M-Con, and H-Con need to be done away with altogether. When one is placed on Intensive Control Status (I-Con), one is placed in the hole for six months and told to stay out of trouble. But even when we stay out of trouble, we are called back to the FCC and DCC only to be told to do another six months in the hold, infraction free.”
• “The immediate release of prisoners from solitary who have been held unjustly or for years without infractions; this includes the Strong 8, sent to solitary for the purpose of political intimidation.”

Central Prison in Raleigh was the site of a strike by inmates in December 2011. The inmates were protesting conditions in their kitchen employment. The strike leaders, referred to as the “Strong 8″ were placed in solitary confinement for launching the work stoppage. According to one of the strike leaders placed in the Intensive Control unit, “I-Con is an intensive form of segregation, typically 23 hours a day in a small solitary cell, with few if any resources available, constantly censored mail, and little recreational activity. Sentences on I-Con often last 6 months or longer.”

Central Prison currently holds over 600 inmates in Close Custody. In March, an inmate with a history of self-harm was found dead in his solitary confinement cell. In North Carolina, self-harm can be punished by up to 30 days in isolation.

According to local media, it is the intention of the DOC to address the concerns of the inmates after the strike ends.

Concern mounts for three remaining hunger strikers

 Addameer

Ramallah-Jaffa, 30 July 2012 — Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, Al-Haq and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-IL) are gravely concerned for the life and health of the three remaining Palestinian hunger strikers held by Israel. Of utmost concern is the health and life of administrative detainees Samer Al-Barq, today on his 70^th day of renewed hunger strike, and Hassan Safadi who is on his 40^th day of renewed hunger strike. Samer, whose current strike follows his previous 28-day strike and whose health continues to deteriorate rapidly, is only taking salts and vitamins and he is still being held in isolation.

Following the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) denial of access of an independent doctor to the hunger strikers Samer, Hassan and prisoner Akram Rikhawi, PHR-IL submitted three appeals to the district court of Petah Tekva requesting immediate access to independent doctors. On 23 July, the district court ordered the IPS to allow an independent doctor to see Samer no later than 1 August and to see Hassan and Akram within two days of the hearing.

Despite prior coordination with the IPS regarding a PHR-IL doctor’s visit to Ramleh prison medical centre on 25 July to examine both Akram and Hassan, the IPS informed the doctor on her arrival that Hassan had been taken to a court hearing and therefore only Akram could be examined. In clear breach of the court order, the IPS still ignores PHR-IL requests to allow the independent doctor visit to Samer and Hassan.  

Akram Rikhawi ended his hunger strike on 22 July after 102 days upon reaching an agreement with the IPS. According to the agreement Akram will be released on 25 January 2013 to his home in the Gaza Strip, which is six months prior to his original release date.

Following the visit to Akram, the PHR-IL doctor reported that though his general feeling has improved, he is still suffering from multiple conditions which have been left untreated.  Akram’s asthma continues to be a cause for concern and is severely unstable despite treatment with steroids. The doctor also emphasized that asthma is a life-threatening illness that in the case of a severe attack could lead to death. Furthermore, the doctor also found that Akram suffers from unbalanced diabetes and recommended the renewal of his treatment which was stopped during the hunger strike

Akram also suffers from severe weakness in his left foot with a lack of full sensation in his left thigh. As his condition has not improved since ending the strike, this would indicate progressive motor and sensory damage to the left thigh. The PHR-IL doctor recommended Akram's immediate referral to a public hospital in order to identify the etiology and to perform a full neurological investigation.

It should be noted that in the two previous visits of the PHR-IL doctors to Akram, on 6 June and 5July, both recommended further medical neurological investigation and warned of the danger of peripheral nerve damage. The doctors also recommended immediate examination by a lung specialist. To date, these recommendations have not been performed.  

Hassan Safadi is on his 40^th day of renewed hunger strike, after previously spending 71 days on prolonged hunger strike. His last administrative detention order was due to expire on 29 June and, according to the agreement ending the Palestinian prisoners’ mass hunger strike, he was supposed to be released on that date. However on 21 June he was informed of the renewal of his administrative detention order for a further six months, in violation of the agreement.

According to PHR-IL lawyer Mohamad Mahagni following his visit to Hassan on 22 July, Hassan is currently being held in an isolated cell. Hassan has reported escalating pressure from the IPS to end his hunger strike. Hassan further noted that his court hearing on 25 July has been delayed again until 07 August, stressing that he is in no condition to travel 15 hours every time for the court hearings. He also reported suffering from kidney problems, sight problems, extreme weakness, severe weight loss, headaches, dizziness and has difficulty standing.

Today represents Ayman Sharawna’s 30^th day of hunger strike. Ayman was released as part of the prisoner exchange deal in October 2011, only to be re-arrested on 31 January 2012. No charges have been filed against him. Ayman has been recently transferred to Ramleh prison medical center due to the deterioration in his health.  

While administrative detention is allowed under international humanitarian law, it must be used only under exceptional circumstances as it infringes upon basic human rights, including the right to a fair trial. Indeed, the denial of a fair trial constitutes a 'grave breach’ of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Furthermore, the European Parliament called on Israel in a September 2008 resolution to “guarantee that minimum standards on detention be respected, to bring to trial all detainees, [and] to put an end to the use of 'administrative detention orders”. The United Nations Human Rights Committee has stated several times that prolonged administrative detention is likely to result in the exposure of detainees to “torture, ill-treatment and other violations of human rights.”

In light of the further deterioration of the conditions of the remaining Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike, Addameer, Al-Haq and PHR-IL urge the international community to immediately intervene on their behalf and demand: 

• That the agreements reached on 14 and 15 May 2012 be respected, including the release of administrative detainees who were promised release at the end of their current orders, renewal of family visits and lifting of the punitive measures used against Palestinians in Israeli custody;  
• Unrestricted access for independent physicians to all hunger strikers;
• The immediate transfer of Akram Rikhawi and Samer Al-Barq, as well as all other hunger strikers who have been striking to for more than 40 days to public hospitals;
• That no hunger striker be shackled while hospitalized;
• That all hunger strikers—especially those in advanced stages of hunger strike—be allowed family visits, while they are still lucid;
• That all information regarding prisoners medical conditions be given to their families,   in accordance with standards of medical ethics;
• That Hassan Safadi, Samer Al-Barq and Omar Abo-Shalal  along with all other administrative detainees, be immediately and unconditionally released.

“Please mother, always pray for me”: Hassan Safadi still on hunger strike after Israel breaks deal

July 30, 2012 Electronic Intifada

Holding an image of her hunger-striking son, Hassan Safadi’s mother speaks to reporters in Nablus on 28 June 2012
(Ahmad Al-Bazz / ActiveStills)

Back in the old city of Nablus, through the al-Hanbali entrance. Past the butcher shop that once displayed a cow’s severed head wearing a pair of sunglasses. Turn right and the walls are suddenly covered with the Palestine flag, posters of various prisoners, framed photographs of Hassan Safadi and his martyred brother Farid, and a wreath of dried flowers.

I’m back inside Hassan Safadi’s home. But despite Israeli promises to release him a month ago, he is not here. He’s still in Israeli custody and just completed the 40th day of a renewed hunger strike.
Today, Addameer and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel expressed grave concern for the condition of Safadi and Samer al-Barq, who has been on renewed hunger strike 70 days, and Ayman Sharawna who has passed 30 days.

Last time I was at Safadi’s home was back in late April when he was on his 50th day of hunger strike. I remembered his weary mother, her voice barely raised above a whisper, exhaustion etched into her face. She had hunger struck in solidarity with her son when her health took a turn for the worse and ended in her hospitalization for a few days.

After 71 days without food, Hasan finally broke his hunger strike a day after the 14 May agreement signed by the Israel Prison Service and the higher committee for hunger strikers. Under the deal, Safadi was to have been released at the end of June.

A youth spent in prison without ever being charged

As I wrote for Al Akhbar back then, Hassan’s youth up until today had been plagued with arrests.

“Safadi is no stranger to spending time in Israeli prisons. He was first arrested when he was just 16 years old, in 1994. From 2007 to 2010, he became the longest administrative detainee in Israeli prison, with his detainment renewed every six months over and over again.

After his release, he was arrested by the Palestinian Authority for 48 days and spent the next five months being summoned for interrogation regularly. Prior to his arrest by Israel in 2007, he had spent 43 months in prison. In total, Safadi spent 10 years as an administrative detainee in Israeli prisons, without ever once being sentenced or charged officially.”

“Buzzing with excitement”

“At 1 am that day we received a call from Hassan from his bed in the Ramle prison hospital,” recalled his mother about the day her son ended his first hunger strike.

“The Ramle prison slaughterhouse,” muttered Fuad, Hasan’s brother.

“We already heard the news that the hunger strike had ended, and I was crying and begging for Hassan to break his strike and to eat something,” she continued. “He wasn’t sure if the mass hunger strike had ended or not, and didn’t want to eat when he saw Mahmoud Sarsak and Akram Rikhawi still refusing food. But in the afternoon, the lawyer Jawad Boulos made him drink tea. My happiness was indescribable!”

Hassan’s sister Najiyeh ululated long and loud over the phone when her brother informed them he finally ate something. The celebrations in Nablus reached the Martyrs’ Square in the heart of the city and lasted for a long time. Hassan had triumphed over his jailers. According to the agreement, his administrative detention was not going to be renewed, and he was slated to be released on 29 June  2012. The higher committee for the hunger strikers reassured his mother that she will see him home on that day.

“I prepared fresh sheets on his bed,” Hasan’s mother said. “I laid out new clothes for him to wear when he arrived back home. I was so happy, I wanted to take him to his future fiancé’s house and prepare for the wedding. The whole house was buzzing with excitement.”

Israel breaks deal

One day in the middle of June, Hasan’s mother was sitting alone by herself in the house listening to the radio. As she changed the station, she caught the Ramallah Palestinian Authority’s Minister of Prisoners’ Affairs Issa Qaraqe voice as he finished the sentence “…with the renewal of the prisoner Hassan’s administrative detention for another six months” before the commercials began.
She started pacing all around the house like a caged animal, feeling so light-headed. “Issa Qaraqe’didn’t say Hassan Safadi, he just said Hassan. I kept thinking, not my Hassan, not my son. Could it be though? Thaer Halahleh’s release on 5 June gave us even more hope and assurance that Hasan would be released on the 29th. I just kept thinking of Hassan, Hassan, which Hassan. I almost went out of my mind.”

Later that same day, Fuad walked in the house with a thunderous look on his face. For his mother, that was all the confirmation she needed of Hassan’s detention renewed.

“I want my son”

“It was a paralyzing shock for me,” their mother said. “I couldn’t think, eat or move. When I finally got my senses back, I wanted to run outside in the streets and scream.” Her voice rose. “Bidee ibni! I want my son! I don’t care for press releases or statements from officials! I don’t read or write! Do they think this is a game, a kid’s game? What is Egypt thinking? We took guarantees from the Egyptian mediator that kept pressuring the hunger strikers to end their strike that our sons would be released!”

Najiyeh’s four year old son Farid, named after his martyred uncle, walked in wearing the shirt with his other uncle’s face on it. The shirt reached below his knees and looked like it hadn’t been taken off for days. He climbed into Fuad’s lap, his blond curls crushed against Fuad’s chest and ignored everyone in the room.

“Protests should be in front of the Egyptian embassy,” Fuad said. Fuad is quick tempered and his devil-may-care-attitude is reflected in his silent but always alert posture, the way he barbs his words when talking about PA officials.

“Fuad, the window is open,” his mother warns.

He shrugs. He was this close to confronting Fares Abu Hasan with his bare hands, the lawyer who was supposed to follow up on Hasan’s case.

“The lawyer’s attitude toward my mother when she asked him for more news was insulting to say the least. I went to his house and found that he had run away to Amman, Jordan for a couple of weeks.” He looked at his mother before adding, “Safer for him too.”

Safadi relaunches hunger strike

Hassan immediately re-launched his hunger strike as soon as he found out about his detention renewal. He was in Hadarim prison at that time, and was promptly placed in solitary confinement once the Israel Prison Service found out about his hunger strike. He was moved to the Ramle Prison Hospital on Tuesday, 10 July where he still remains in isolation.

Tonight, 33 year-old Hassan Safadi has entered his 41st day of his re-launched hunger strike, and remains in solitary confinement. According to the latest examination by Physicians for Human Rights-Israel, he is suffering from kidney problems, sight problems, extreme weakness, severe weight loss, headaches, dizziness, and has difficulty standing.

“We were one hundred percent sure Hassan was going to be released,” his mother said. “I still have hope he will be released.”

Letter to his family

Below is my translated version of the letter Hassan’s family received from him when he was on his 22nd day of his re-launched hunger strike.

First I want to thank you dear mother for your wonderful letter, whose every word penetrated my heart and immersed me in happiness, love and tenderness. I am blessed to have a mother like you. Please thank everyone who stood in solidarity and prayed for me.

What increased my happiness and contentment was you writing that you raise your head up proudly because of me…I hope your head will always be lifted high and your spirits elevated oh loved one. As for waiting for my release, I remind you mother we are believers.

We are waiting for God’s mercy with patience…as Prophet Muhammad related God’s words, “I am as my slave thinks…” As you await my release, think positively and God willing, God will not leave you and your work and He will not disappoint your expectations.

Thank God I have a mother like you, a patient believer who prays for me from her heart, and I thank you dear mother for the beautiful song you wrote that warmed my chest as I read the lyrics..

Congratulations to Nelli’s [his sister] twins…I pray to God they will be attributed to Muslims and to Islam and for them to receive the best upbringing, and for their time to be better than our time.

Say hello and salute Abu Jamal and thank him for his efforts and say hello to Ayah and Amir and tell them I miss them, tell everyone who asked about me I say hello, and pray for them.

How beautiful the last line in your letter is! “God is with you, may He protect you and take care of you…I leave you in His safe hands.”

Please mother, always pray for me using those words especially in the month of Ramadan, happy holidays.

Your son

Report-back: July 16th Rally in Solidarity with the Georgia Prison Hunger Strikers

July 22, 2012 Atlanta Black Cross

On Monday, July 16th, 2012 there was a rally held in Forsyth, Georgia to show solidarity with Hunger Strikers in the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Center (also known as GDC or Jackson State Prison).  About 80 people attended the event, which was organized and coordinated by many local radical organizations and members of the Hunger Strikers’ families. Some of the groups involved included Project South, The Ordinary People’s Society, Prodigal Child Project, Take Back the Block, Industrial Workers of the World – Atlanta Chapter, and the Atlanta Black Cross to name a few.

The rally began with demonstrators on the public sidewalk dancing, chanting, and drumming right in front of Georgia’s Department of Corrections. After about a half an hour or so the crowd became emboldened by the lack of response by the police and enraged by the lack of concern shown by the on looking Department of Corrections officials. The crowd then proceeded to move onto the private grounds and right in front of the building where Commissioner Brian Owens’s office is located in order to show their lack of fear and their passion and solidarity for the strikers who have led this fight.

Delma Jackson, Wife of Miguel Jackson (currently on Hunger Strike) speaking to the crowd.

At the rally’s peak, about 80 people rallied for the prisoners in a successful display of inter-racial solidarity that is often not seen in Atlanta.

The rally allowed us to make connections with organizations and members of the Atlanta community with whom our bonds have often been weak. It also allowed us all to see that the struggle against prisons is struggle we do not have to fight alone. We are able to work together and organize against the oppressive prison system and the State.

There were many groups there with many different perspectives and this diversity of approaches will allow us to fight the battle against prisons on multiple fronts.

We acknowledge the shortcomings of the rally as a tactic and even debate amongst ourselves the effectiveness of such demonstrations and appeals to the power structure that we fight against. However, we also realize the necessity of showing solidarity with other individuals and organizations that have a similar passion for justice and freedom. As well as sending strong messages of support to those currently kept away from us behind bars.

As the Atlanta Black Cross, we stand in solidarity with all prisoners. We envision a world without prisons, free from oppression- and work to create that world.

As long as a soul remains behind bars, no one can be free.

Atlanta Black Cross

Photo Credit: Bruce A. Dixon, Black Agenda Report

Announcing Call-In Day and Petition for NC Hunger Strikers

July 23, 2012 Prison Books.info

 

First, we are announcing and encouraging people to participate in a call-in day to support NC prison hunger strikers on Wednesday, July 25th. You can find phone and fax numbers here. Because the strike may have spread to facilities we don’t yet know about, folks are especially encouraged to call the Division of Prisons HQ in Raleigh.

Second, the Asheville Prison Book Program has set up a petition for the strikers which supporters can sign here.

Third, a poster made for public distribution can be found here; feel free to put this up everywhere in your town, as a general reminder that prison struggles are happening.

Fourth, please write to prisonbooks@gmail.com if your group would like to be mentioned as supporting the strike. Feel free to also write your own statement of support like these folks. As soon as that list starts to come together we will post it.

Fifth, prisoners have called for solidarity actions and boycotts (the latter largely intended for other prisoners) against companies that exploit prisoners and their families via the canteen. A list of companies involved can be found here.


A weekly anarchist radio show out of Asheville, NC, called the Final Straw, recently did an hour long interview regarding this hunger strike. You can hear the interview here.

As soon as more news emerges from prisoners we will be sure to post it. Also, please send us by email or comments any news on your end about solidarity actions, demonstrations, etc.

UFree Network: Solidarity campaign with Akram Rikhawi succeeded

July 25, 2012 UFree Network

UFree network said that it managed to conduct a solidarity campaign with 103-day hunger striker prisoner Akram Rikhawi since his hunger strike on 12 April. Mohammed Hamdan, UFree chairman, said that ending Rikhawi's hunger strike is the result for congregation of efforts inside and outside prisons, which forced the Israeli occupation to refrain its situation and sign an agreement that stipulates on setting Rikhawi free before his release date. Agreement contents Israeli Prison Service (IPS) had a meeting with Rikhawi due to his deteriorating health condition. After a prolonged discussion and because of his determination, the occupation agreed on Rikhawi's demand to be released. It also agreed to unite him with his prisoner brother Shadi Rihkawi, who is sentenced for 12 years, at Isheel jail from the beginning of next week. Rekawi's campaign The solidarity campaign with Al Rikhawi, which lasted for 103 days, achieved a great success and introduced his case to all public and formal levels. UFree launched a campaign to support Akram  Rikhawi. Through emails and awareness campaigns on social networking websites, UFree managed to reach and contact European members of parliaments, politicians and human rights activists. Illness and triumph Hunger striker, Akram Rikhawi, who ended his strike, expressed his thanks and gratitude to those who stood beside him during his long strike. He added, "Without such support, I could not steadfast and force the occupation to refrain its situation". "I did not start my strike to die or to have a permanent disability. Even when my body began to be feeble and illness surmounted me, I endured this adhering to my people's support as a weapon to strengthen me. That support I experienced led me not to surrender to my illness nor the stubbornness and arrogance of the occupation. All of my people and those who supported me deserve words of promise and faithfulness."

Addameer: Hunger Strike Ends for Akram Rikhawi after 102 days

July 23, 2012 Samidoun

Ramallah, 23 July 2012 – Following a visit today by Addameer lawyer Mona Nadaf, Addameer can confirm that Palestinian hunger striker Akram Rikhawi has ended his hunger strike after reaching an agreement with the Israeli Prison Service. Akram ended his hunger strike yesterday evening after 102 days.
As part of the agreement Akram will be released on 25^th January 2013, which is six months prior to his original release date. Addameer’s lawyer visited Akram in Ramleh prison, where he remains in critical condition. It was agreed that upon his release he will return to his home in the Gaza Strip.
Addameer’s lawyer also visited Hassan Safadi, who is on his 33^rd day of hunger strike. Hassan’s health continues to deteriorate with recent tests indicating that he has developed kidney stones as a result of his hunger strike. He remains extremely weak and is currently taking only water and vitamins.

Prisoners Begin Hunger Strike at Three Facilities In NC

July 18, 2012 Prison Books.info

 

On Monday July 16^th, prisoners began hunger strikes at Bertie CI in Windsor, Scotland CI in Laurinburg, and Central Prison in Raleigh. Targeting a wide range of conditions related but not exclusive to solitary confinement, the prisoners have vowed not to eat until their demands are met.
Prisoners have encouraged supporters to call or fax the administrations of these different facilities as well as Director Robert Lewis (see information below), to “march or protest in front of Central Prison and others,” “boycott all products being sold in these prisons,” and to “contact media outlets and let them know what we are doing.”

The prisoners have listed the following demands (listed at the bottom), though they are also encouraging others to include any other grievances specific to their conditions. It is still unclear how many prisoners are currently participating, but correspondence with those on the inside has made it clear that the strike has spread to three at least three different facilities.

Constant attention and pressure on administrations can help make this strike a success, and protect those who are putting their lives on the line. Prisoners have asked folks on the outside to call everyday to check on fasting prisoners and pressure administration. You can contact officials at:

Robert C. Lewis, Director of Prisons
phone: 919.838.4000
fax: 919.733.8272
Central Prison Warden Ken Lassiter
phone: 919.733.0800
fax: 919.715.2645
Bertie CI Warden Renoice Stancil (The Receptionist Says Stancil Is Replaced With A Man Named Anderson)
Phone: 252-794-8600
Fax: 252-794-4608
Scotland CI Warden Sorrell Saunders
Phone: (910) 844-3078
Fax: (910) 844-3786
PRISONERS’ DEMANDS

1. Law Libraries. We are tired of being railroaded by the courts, and having our rights violated by prison staff and officers. NC Prison Legal Services are inadequate and oftentimes do not help us at all. A law library is needed to enable us to legally defend ourselves.
2. An immediate end to the physical and mental abuse inflicted by officers.
3. Improve food, in terms of quality and quantity.
4. A better way to communicate emergencies from cells; many emergency call buttons are broken and never replaced, and guards often do not show up for over an hour. At least one prisoner has died this way.
5. The canteens that serve lock up units need to make available vitamins and personal hygiene items.
6. An immediate stop to officers’ tampering or throwing away prisoners’ mail.
7. Education programs for prisoners on lock-up.
8. The immediate release of prisoners from solitary who have been held unjustly or for years without infractions; this includes the Strong 8, sent to solitary for the purpose of political intimidation.
9. The immediate end to the use of restraints as a form of torture.
10. The end of cell restriction. Sometimes prisoners are locked in their cell for weeks or more than a month, unable to come out for showers and recreation.
11. The theft of prisoners’ property, including mattresses and clothes. When on property restriction, we are forced to sleep on the ground or steel bed frames naked, with no bedding.
12. Medical privacy and confidentiality. Guards should not be able to listen in on our medical problems when on sick call.
13. Change our cell windows to ones which we can see through. The current windows are covered with feces and grime. Not being able to see out is sensory deprivation, and makes us feel dissociated from everything that exists outside of prison.
14. An immediate repair of cell lights, sinks, toilets, and plumbing.
15. Toilet brushes should be handed out with cell cleaning items.
16. The levels of I-Con, M-Con, and H-Con need to be done away with altogether. When one is placed on Intensive Control Status (I-Con), one is placed in the hole for six months and told to stay out of trouble. But even when we stay out of trouble, we are called back to the FCC and DCC only to be told to do another six months in the hold, infraction free.

Doug Wright Begins Hunger Strike

July 10, 2012 Cleveland 5 Justice!

On July 11th the support group received a message from Doug stating that
he began a hunger strike on Saturday (7.7.12). The transcribed message is
below.

SHARE THIS LETTER WITH ALL!!

The Fascist Pigs here at Trumbull County Jail have thrown me in solitary
confinement for some completely bullshit "charges", including "having 2 or
more books". I never heard that rule, and I've asked for an inmate
handbook on several occasions. Also, "hoarding Personal Hygiene". I
didn't know you could have too much soap, too much being more than one
bar. WTF??! I have sent a letter telling my lawyer of this and I
wantpeople to call him a lot till this injustice is righted! I've also
let him know that I'm going to refuse my food until this is made right!
When I refuse food they will take away phone calls and ability to write
letters, someone thats been in here a while told me this before. So, this
might be my letter for a while, until this is fixed.

-HUNGER STRIKING FOR JUSTICE-

Freedom or Death
Down with the Fascist Pigs

Doug Wright

Tortured men face death in 33-day Georgia hunger strike for human rights

July 14, 2012 Examiner.com By: Deborah Dupre

Nine prisoners starving for human rights

 Georgian prisoners starving to death for human rights

Nine prisoners face death on a hunger strike for human rights that began June 11 at Georgia’s massive Diagnostic and Classification prison, where Troy Davis was murdered last year and where men are tortured in solitary confinement.

“It has been 33 days since these men have eaten. We must move swiftly or people are going to start dying,” writes Delma Jackson, wife of the inmate who leads the strike, Miguel Jackson.

Miguel Jackson is the prisoner beaten with a hammer-like object in retaliation for his role in the December 2010 mass sit-down strike to raise awareness about slave labor and other atrocities at Georgia's massive Diagnostic and Classification prison, what CBS Atlanta reported the inmates call "unreasonable and inhumane treatment by prison guards and officials."

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, based on claims by the Georgia Department of Corrections, reported Tuesday that the strike is over:

"A hunger strike by 10 inmates at the Georgia Classification & Diagnostic Prison has ended, according to the Department of Corrections. The strike, which sparked a protest at the state capitol building Monday, lasted from June 10 to July 6. Corrections is also denying claims that it mistreated the striking prisoners.

"'The hunger strike ended when inmates requested food from GDC officials,' said Dabney Weems, a public relations official."

Families and an attorney for the prisoners, however, "insist that the nine hunger strikers remain resolved and continue to insist on administrative review of their status, adequate medical care, and access to mail and visitation privileges with their families and attorneys which have been arbitrarily denied them," reports San Francisco Bay View News, based on the story by Bruce A. Dixon, managing editor at Black Agenda Report where this story first appeared.

Dixon is a member of the state committee of the Georgia Green Party and is heard on Black Agenda Radio Commentaries.

(Listen to Bruce Dixon's commentary on the Georgia prison strike here.)

Georgia's Green Party called on Americans to fast for one day in solidarity with the prisoners, saying in a written statement:

"Eighteen months after Georgia Department of Corrections employees brutally suppressed a non-violent work stoppage led by inmates in as many as eleven of the state's 34 prisons, it is believed that the "Hidden-37" have been in solitary confinement ever since. The Georgia Green Party today called on Governor Deal to end the torture; and on Georgians to join hunger striking Georgia inmates in a one day solidarity fast."

"Prison officials are surprised at the level of outside support the inmates enjoy despite a virtual news whiteout," states Bruce Dixon, editor of The Black Agenda Report.

Georgia denies inmates hygiene and medical treatment for injuries inflicted 18 months ago

"Miguel and other inmates at Georgia Diagnostics have been denied access to proper hygiene [and] medical treatment for their numerous and severe injuries, many of which were inflicted 18 months ago," wrote Delma Jackson in a Change.org petition.

Jackson's family alleges that he was beaten by prison guards at Smith State Prison in December 2010, transferred in 2011 to the Georgia Classification & Diagnostic Prison where he has been kept in solitary confinement for the past 18 months.

The Department of Corrections denied those allegations in a statement to the AJC.

"[The Georgia Bureau of Investigation] investigated the claim filed by inmate Miguel Jackson regarding the 2010 Smith State Prison incident and found no validity to the inmate's complaint," stated Dabney Weems, a public relations official.

According to the ACJ, the department also said Jackson has not been in solitary confinement.

In a petition that citizens of faith and conscience are asked to sign, The Black Agenda Report states about solitary confinement torture:

"As the international community has examined the research, including over a century of scientific studies suggesting that prolonged solitary confinement leads to irreversable mental degredation, experts have found that use of segregation for period in excess of fifteen days constitutes torture and cannot be supported under existing international standards for human rights."

Many of the men now on hunger strike were involved in a hunger strike launched in December 2010.
"Unfortunately the peaceful demonstration was cut short by the brutal beating of inmate Miguel Jackson and others who were allegedly targeted for participating in the protest," reported CBS Atlanta on Monday.

"Thirty-seven of the men who participated in the original hunger strike were singled out as leaders, and as punishment they were sent to the Diagnostic and Classification Prison, where they were placed in solitary confinement."

Monday, Jackson said he still suffers splitting migraines as a result of the attack.

The strike gained national attention Monday, July 9 after approximately 30 people gathered at Georgia’s state capitol to visit the governor’s office, where they left support letters for the hunger strikers.
A Solidarity Rally will be held Monday at the Georgia Department of Corrections headquarters, 300 Patrol Rd., Forsyth, Ga.

"We will be demanding a meeting and we will not leave until Commissioner Brian Owens agrees to meet with us," stated Delma Jackson. "We need your support and prayers for these courageous men.”
Delma Jackson heads the Prodigal Child Project Atlanta.

Citizen support requested
"Your phone calls to the prison warden, the Department of Corrections and the governor of Georgia have already made a difference," stated San Francisco Bay News editor, Mary Ratcliff. "Delma Jackson, wife of hunger striker Miguel Jackson, asks everyone to 'post this flier on social media, blogs etc. It is imperative that we build awareness and gain all the support we can.' Click to enlarge."

"Whether or not the hunger strike lasts much longer, the nine prisoners involved have already demonstrated their unshakable resolve and deserve your continued concern and support – and your calls, which are still needed," states Ratcliff.

"When you call, ask about the men by name and ID number. Here are the names and ID numbers of the nine prisoners now in the fifth week of their hunger strike."

• Justin Boston, ID 1305227
• Quentin D. Cooks, ID 1142336
• Contravius Grier, ID 591396
• Miguel Jackson, ID 890692
• Bobby Anthony Minor, ID 1191993
• Dexter Shaw, ID 429768
• Robert Watkins, ID 1245402
• Demetrius White, ID 581709

Call, fax and email:

• Warden, Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison, phone (770) 504-2000, fax (770) 504-2006.
• Commissioner Brian Owens, Georgia Department of Corrections; ask for his administrative assistant, Peggy Chapman, phone (478) 992-5258.
• Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, phone (404) 656-1776, fax (404) 657-7332; you can also send the governor a letter online by clicking here.
• Georgia Department of Corrections Ombudsman, phone (478) 992-5367 or (478) 992-5358, email Ombudsman@dcor.state.ga.us. Please add a cc to the email, info@georgiagreenparty.org.

“We’re also having an international call-in day to support Georgia hunger strikers this Monday, July 16,” said Delma Jackson.

“Please encourage everyone to call Commissioner Brian Owens while we are outside the Department of Corrections demonstrating, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET (7-10 a.m. PT).”

Suggested by the author:

• Historic rights abuse of Troy Davis: Execution 21st, Int'l Solidarity Friday
• Wackenhut/GEO private prison abuse spotlight
• State sued over ‘stomach-churning’ prison conditions
• Court rules mandatory sentencing children to die in prison unconstitutional
• Extraordinary interview: In love with tortured man, Compassion for 1000s others

95 Days of Hunger Strike: Act Now to Save Akram al-Rikhawi’s life!

July 15, 2012 Samidoun

 

Akram al-Rikhawi has now been on hunger strike for 95 days. He is the longest serving hunger striker anywhere in the world.  He is suffering from numerous medical conditions, including diabetes, asthma, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, glaucoma, kidney problems and immune deficiency. Addameer reports that “Prior to his arrest, Akram received injections of Kenacort to treat his asthma, but following his arrest, the Israeli Prison Service (IPS) did not allow Akram to take this injection. Instead, it was replaced with injections of cortisone, which is most likely the cause of severe complications, resulting in additional chronic illnesses such as diabetes and osteoporosis, from which Akram now suffers.” Take action today to call for the immediate release of Akram al-Rikhawi!

Akram began his hunger strike on April 12 of this year to demand his early release due to his heath circumstances. He also has eight children, and he and his wife are also responsible for the care of the five children of his late brother. Despite his severe health circumstances and his difficult family and economic straits and responsibility for 13 children, his appeals for early release in 2012 and on June 5, 2012 were both rejected.

He did not stop his hunger strike on May 14 at the time of the agreement between prisoners and the Israel Prison Services because his unique circumstances were not addressed – namely, early release on medical grounds. Physicians for Human Rights were denied access to Akram for nearly two months, until June 6. He has lost 26.5% of his body weight – and was already very unhealthy. Akram has been refusing medical examinations since mid-May – and in response, the cortisone injections have only increased. PHR has stated that he must be transferred immediately to a civilian hospital in order to receive proper medical care, and filed suit to demand he be transferred – which was denied by an Israeli District Court on June 14. Since June 16, he has been refusing supplements and other forms of artificial nourishment that the Israeli prison hospital has attempted to impose on him.

He has now been on hunger strike for 95 days. He is in severe danger. International action is urgently needed to save his life! It is urgent that we act now to free Akram Rikhawi and secure his much-needed medical care.

Akram al-Rikhawi is not the only Palestinian prisoner currently on hunger strike:

• Samer al-Barq has now been on hunger strike since May 22, for 55 days, protesting Israeli violations of the agreement with the prisoners – after his own administrative detention, rather than expiring as agreed by the Israelis at the end of the strike, was renewed for an additional three months. Samer al-Barq is now on hunger strike until his release is secured.
• Hassan Safadi, a long-term hunger striker who had been striking for 71 days at the time the May 14 agreement was concluded, had his administrative detention order renewed by the Israelis on June 21, despite the explicit agreement that the long-term hunger strikers such as Safadi serving in administrative detention without charge or trial would not have those orders renewed. Safadi is now on his 25th day of hunger strike and plans to continue until he is released.

The Israeli Prison Services have continued to violate the May 14 agreement in numerous ways – Dirar Abu Sisi remains in solitary confinement and another prisoner was recently moved to isolation. Although family visits to Gaza prisoners have now been announced, they will be “experimental,” apply only to 25 of the 479 prisoners and will exclude prisoners’ children from visits.

After his 96-day hunger strike, Palestinian soccer star Mahmoud Sarsak returned on July 10 to his home in Gaza to a hero’s welcome. It is urgent that we act now for all Palestinian prisoners to return to their families and homes like Sarsak. Administrative detention, mass roundups, and military trials are continuing in Palestine.  International solidarity and action is needed to hold the occupation accountable for its ongoing imprisonment and abuse of the people of Palestine!

TAKE ACTION!
1. Sign a letter demanding the Israeli state transfer Akram Rikhawi, Samer al-Barq and Hassan Safadi immediately to hospitals and release them. Tell the Israeli Prison Services that the world is watching! Click here to sign.

2. Sign this letter, circulated by UFREE, to members of the European Parliament and demand action to save the life of Akram Rikhawi.

3. Join a protest or demonstration outside an Israeli consulate for Palestinian prisoners. Many groups and organizations are holding events – join one or announce your own. Organizing an event, action or forum on Palestinian prisoners on your city or campus? Use this form to contact us and we will post the event widely. If you need suggestions, materials or speakers for your event, please contact us at samidoun@samidoun.ca. (The Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign has great materials, available at http://www.ipsc.ie/the-issues/factsheets)

4. Contact your government officials and demand an end to international silence and complicity with the repression of Palestinian political prisoners. In Canada, Call the office of John Baird, Foreign Minister, and demand an end to Canadian support for Israel and justice for Palestinian prisoners, at : 613-990-7720; Email: bairdj@parl.gc.ca. In the US, call the office of Elizabeth Jones, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near East Affairs (1.202.647.7209). Demand that Elizabeth Jones bring this issue urgently to his counterparts in Israel.

Contact Israeli Officials to free striking prisoners Akram Rikhawi, Samer al-Barq, Hassan Safadi

It is urgent that Israeli officials hear that the ongoing hunger strikes of Palestinian prisoners, Akram Rikhawi, Samer al-Barq, and Hassan Safadi are being followed around the world. Rikhawi - in poor health - is on his 95th day of hunger strike! Tell the Israelis that people around the world are demanding their freedom and are monitoring the situation of Palestinian prisoners and hold the Israeli officials responsible for their lives. Use this form to send a letter of protest to Israeli officials.

 

To Brigadier General Dani Afroni, Military Judge Advocate General;

I write today to demand the immediate freedom of Akram al-Rikhawi - deeply ill and on hunger strike for over eighty days - and his fellow hunger strikers, Samer al-Barq and Hassan Safadi. Despite what you may believe, the eyes of the world are on the struggle of these heroic Palestinian prisoners and we will not ignore their demands for justice - despite being behind bars, they are far from isolated, and their demands must be implemented.

I am deeply concerned for the health of these three men, particularly Akram Al-Rikhawi, deeply ill with diabetes, asthma, glaucoma, kidney disease and other chronic illnesses as well as having lost 26% of his body weight over more than 95 days of hunger strike. The treatment he has received for eight years in Ramle's prison hospital has only worsened his illness and yet Israel is doing all it can to prevent him from receiving real health care in a civilian hospital. The government of Israel responsible for their life and health, and will be held accountable for any harm to their lives or health.

Akram al-Rikhawi has numerous chronic illnesses and thirteen children for whom he is responsible. Nonetheless his appeals for early release have been repeatedly denied. Samer al-Barq and Hassan Safadi are both held without charge or trial under administrative detention, and in both of their cases, in direct violation of the agreement between IPS and the prisoners' movement, their arbitrary administrative detention has been renewed. In Safadi's case, this comes despite his explicit inclusion as a long-term hunger striker in the agreement to not extend current prisoners' administrative detention.

Administrative detention and indefinite and arbitrary detention violates the right to a fair trial as recognized in the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights. It is a practice that is used to silence Palestinians without ever exposing the reality of such actions to the light of day - even in the rigged military court systems. It is a practice that continues today and all administrative detainees must be freed.

I demand that Akram Rikhawi, Samer al-Barq, and Hassan Safadi be immediately released and transferred immediately to civilian hospitals for health care. Further, I demand an end not only to the use of administrative detention, but also the use of isolation and solitary confinement (which continues against Palestinian prisoner Dirar Abu Sisi), "secret evidence" and torture.

The steadfastness and strength of Akram Rikhawi, Samer al-Barq  and Hassan Safadi - and their thousands of brothers and sisters - continues to spark the conscience of people around the world. They will not be forgotten or silenced - and they must be freed immediately.

Sincerely, 

GA Prison Hunger Strike Enters 5th Week

July 12, 2012 Black Agenda Report

by BAR managing editor Bruce A. Dixon

As the hunger strike by 9 Georgia prisoners demanding medical care, due process and human rights enters its 5^th week, prison officials are surprised at the level of outside support the inmates enjoy despite a virtual news whiteout. Concerned family members and others plan to visit the Department of Corrections headquarters on Monday, July 16.

The hunger strike begun on June 11 by nine prisoners at Georgia's massive Diagnostic and Classification prison, the same place where Troy Davis was murdered last year, continues into its fifth week. Though reports published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution declare the strike over, the families and one of the attorneys of inmates insist that the nine prisoners remain resolved, and continue to insist on administrative review of their status, adequate medical care, and access to mail and visitation privileges with their families and attorneys which have been arbitrarily denied them.

Our sources claim that these nine were among the 37 singled out by corrections officials in late 2010 and early 2011 after the peaceful strike by Georgia prisoners of December 2010. They were rounded up, many severely beaten, and transferred to close confinement and constant lockdown at Jackson, where they have remained ever since.

On Monday July 9, about 30 people showed up at Georgia's state capitol to visit the governor's office, where they left letters of support for the hunger strikers. Through direct and indirect contacts with their families and attorneys and other inmates, the prisoners know that they DO have significant support on the outside. The warden, for example, remarked to Miguel Jackson his surprise that the Georgia Green Party was supporting the strikers. Your phone calls to the prison warden, to the Department of Corrections, and the governor of Georgia have already made a difference.

Whether or not the hunger strike lasts much longer, the nine prisoners involved have already demonstrated their unshakable resolve , and deserve your continued concern and support, and your calls, which are still needed.

When you call, ask about them by name and ID number. Here are the names and ID numbers of the nine prisoners now in the fifth week of their hunger strike. They are

 

Justin Boston, ID 1305227

Quentin D. Cooks, ID 1142336

Contravius Grier, ID 591396

Miguel Jackson, ID 890692

Bobby Anthony Minor, ID 1191993

Dexter Shaw, ID 429768

Robert Watkins, ID 1245402

Demetrius White, ID 581709

 

And here are the people to call	Voice phone	Fax phone
Warden, GA Diagnostic & Classification Prison, Butts County GA	770-504-2000	770-504-2006
Brian Owens, Commissioner, GA Department of Corrections, ask for his administrative assistant Peggy Chapman	478-992-5258
Georgia governor Nathan Deal	404-656-1776	Fax the governor at 404-657-7332. You can also send the Governor a letter online by clicking here.
GA Department of Corrections Ombudsman	478-992-5367 or 478-992-5358	No fax, but you can email them at Ombudsman@dcor.state.ga.us. Please add a cc to the email, info@georgiagreenparty.org.
Sign the petition in support of the Jackson Prison hunger strikers ---- Click here

 

If you're in the Atlanta area on Monday, July 16, join us as we travel by van and carpool to the headquarters of the Georgia Department of Corrections in Forsyth GA where, along with the families of some of the strikers, we will demand a meeting with Brian Owens, the head of the department. Meet us at the West End MARTA station, 9 AM sharp. Some cars will be returning around lunch time, some others will probably stay in Forsyth the whole day.

The prisoners behind those walls have done all they can do. What you can do is sign the petition supporting the demands of the hunger strikers. You can pick up the phone to call and express your concern and support. You can forward this to your email and social networks, family, friends and acquaintances.

For Black Agenda Radio, I'm Bruce Dixon. Find us on the web at www.blackagendareport.com.

Bruce A. Dixon is managing editor at Black Agenda Report, and a member of the state committee of the Georgia Green Party. He can be reached via this site's contact page, or at bruce.dixon(at)blackagendareport.com.