IPA spiteful treatment of detainees at Hawara prison on the rise

IPA spiteful treatment of detainees at Hawara prison on the rise

[ 02/08/2010 - 10:35 AM ]

NABLUS, (PIC)-- The Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) said on Sunday that the Israeli administration of the Hawara detention center east of Nablus has deliberately stepped up its policies of maltreatment against Palestinian prisoners.

The society said that the administration does not allow prisoners to leave to the main bathrooms outside of the detention rooms, claiming that each room contains a urinal. The main problem is that the urinals are unclean and increase the spread of insects, mosquitoes, and foul odors. Some of the prisoners have become ill from contamination in the rooms.

The prison administration deliberately prevents prisoners from bathing for their entire stay at the detention center, and provides them dirty clothes already worn by others, and also does not provide them with soap or other detergents to clean their rooms, or clothing.

The PPS said that the administration has refused to let the society’s attorney or other organizations, such as the Red Cross, cater to the prisoners’ needs, on grounds that prisoners are only held there for a few days, despite prisoners’ claims of being detained in the center for several weeks.

According to the lawyer, the majority of the prisoners have experienced dryness in their hot concrete rooms from the lack of cold water, which is specially needed during the intense heat wave.

Prisoners noted that each room contains only one ventilation window about a half a square meter in size, so ventilation is near to none.

Food in the prison is scarce and disagreeable, and is served in portions not suitable for everyday needs.

In a related context, the prisoners said they do not receive any medical attention. At the beginning of their detention they are taken to what the administration calls a doctor. In the event of a claim of sickness or pain, the administration brings a nurse, who tells them to drink large amounts of water and gives them the “magical” Akamol (Paracetamol) pill.



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