MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the case of Arafat Jaradat and the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails

12.3.2013 - (2013/2563(RSP))

with request for inclusion in the agenda for a debate on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure

Charles Tannock, Geoffrey Van Orden, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Tomasz Piotr Poręba, Ryszard Czarnecki, Adam Bielan on behalf of the ECR Group

B7‑0156/2013

European Parliament resolution on the case of Arafat Jaradat and the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails

(2013/2563(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Gaza

– having regard to the Geneva Conventions, in particular Convention (IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949, and in particular to Articles 1 to 12, 27, 29 to 34, 47, 49, 51, 52, 53, 59, 61 to 77 and 143 thereof,

– having regard to the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of 1966,

– having regard to the relevant UN resolutions on the Middle East conflict,

– having regard to Rule 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Mr Arafat Jaradat was a 30 year old man who was arrested and detained by the Israeli authorities on February 18th 2013 after taking part in a violent protest in Hebron; he was held in Israel's Meggido prison; and died on the 23rd February

B. whereas cause of his death is disputed; whereas the Israeli authorities maintain that Jaradat died of a heart attack and doctors from the National Centre for Forensic Medicine have stated that haemorrhages and fractured ribs found in the autopsy were characteristic of the resuscitation attempts that were performed by the prison service; whereas the Palestinian authorities maintain he died as a result of torture

C. whereas 3,000 Palestinian protestors carried out a one- day hunger strike on the 24th February to show their condemnation of what they believe is torture and murder

D. whereas a military court in Israel has the power to detain a suspect and hold for up to six months without trial or a charge brought against them

E. whereas Israel has faced and continues to face a number of violent terrorist attacks against its civilian population

F. whereas 4,593 Palestinian prisoners, including women and children, are currently held in Israeli jails[1]

G. whereas it has been documented that it is often impossible or difficult for the vast majority of Palestinian prisoners held in prisons situated inside Israeli territory to exercise their right to visits by their families

 

1. Supports the legitimate security concerns of Israel and its right to take necessary actions in order to ensure the security of its citizens

2. Believes that the rule of law must be fully respected in the treatment of all prisoners, this being crucial for a democratic country; states that Israel uses detention when an immediate and substantial threat or risk is feared;

3. Notes that in a debate that was held in the Foreign Affairs committee on the 6th of September 2012 regarding administrative detention in Israel, the EEAS representative Lionello Gabrici had made it clear that Israel is well in line with international law in this regard;

4. States concern for Samer Issawi and Aymen Sharawan who are currently on hunger strike and who are under medical observation in hospital; notes that Tariq Qaadan and Jafar Ezzedine halted their hunger strike on Wednesday 27th February;

5. Stresses that the issue of Palestinian prisoners is a complex one and has a major impact on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; accepts, however, that there is an ongoing security risk to the state of Israel;

6. Calls on Israel to guarantee that minimum standards on detention be observed, to respect the "right to fair trial for everyone" and to ensure that prisoners are kept in safe and secure environments; taking especially into account the rights of minors below 18 years and women;

7. Strongly urges the Palestinian Authority to work with its communities to stop all violent actions against the state of Israel; reminds Hamas that recognising the state of Israel and cessation of terrorist attacks is a sine que non prequisite for taking it off the EU terrorist organisations list;

8. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Israeli Government, the Knesset, the President of the Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian Legislative Council, the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, the UN Secretary-General, the Quartet Envoy to the Middle East, the President of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

 

 

• [1]  Statistics according to B'Tselem