UN calls on Israel to abide by commitments made toward Palestinian prisoners

KUNA 20/02/2012
AMMAN, Feb 20 - The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Richard Falk, urged on Monday the Israeli government to respect its legal commitments towards thousands of Palestinian detainees.
In a press conference, Falk expressed sorrow for the latest developments in the occupied territories, noting that there are currently 4,400 Palestinians in Israeli jails and that 300 others are arrested without any charges.
The UN envoy expressed regret over human rights violations committed by the Israeli government against Palestinian people and called on the International community to urged the Israeli government to meet its obligations in line with the international law.
Falk also outlined violations committed by the Israeli government against Palestinians, adding that he would submit a report on this issue to the Human Rights Council next June.
Falk said that the Israeli authorities had prevented him from visiting the occupied Palestinian lands, adding this reflects Israel's continued violations against the Palestinians.
Falk is conducting a field mission visiting Egypt, the occupied Palestinian territory and Jordan to gather information on the broad range of human rights concerns connected to Israel's occupation of Palestine.
Regarding the Palestinian prisoner in Israeli jails Khudr Adnan, who is on a hunger strike for more than 60 days now, Falk called on the Israeli government to quickly and actively take measures to protect his life and preserve his human rights.