The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed on Wednesday its concern over the intensification of arbitrary detention campaigns carried out by Israeli forces against Palestinians.
On the occasion of Palestinian Prisoner’s Day, it said the number of prisoners held by Israel has increased to more than 9,500, including 80 female prisoners and more than 200 children.
More than 3,600 are administrative detainees without charge or trial, and about 600 prisoners are serving life sentences.
The OIC renewed its condemnation of the Israeli practices that have led to the death of 16 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons since October 7. Twenty-seven prisoners from Gaza have died from torture and medical negligence.
The OIC stressed that the plight of the Palestinian prisoners represents the loss of justice and stolen rights.
The prisoners have no one to bring them justice against “the most heinous, systematic inhuman practices committed against them,” it added, noting that they have been deprived of the most basic human rights and accusing Israeli authorities of practicing collective punishment, abuse, persecution, neglect, and isolation.
They have also been subjected to physical and psychological torture in flagrant violation of all standards and rules stipulated in international humanitarian law, the Charter of Human Rights, the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, and other relevant international treaties.
The OIC called on the international community and competent human rights institutions to assume their responsibilities and work to make the Israeli authorities to deal with Palestinian prisoners in accordance with the Geneva Conventions, international humanitarian law, and all provisions of relevant international conventions.
It also called for an investigation into all crimes committed by Israeli authorities against prisoners, reiterating its solidarity and support for the rights of Palestinian prisoners and commitment to work to convey their message and suffering to the international community so that they can be freed, and justice can be achieved.
