African parliament raises voice for Palestinian inmates

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG

The African Union’s Pan African Parliament on Tuesday issued a declaration in support of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike at Israeli prisons and slammed Israel’s controversial detention policies.

The pro-Palestinian motion was presented at the parliament's headquarters in Midrand, Johannesburg by Faysal Tebbini, a Tunisia representative to the Pan African Parliament, who urged legislators to pile pressure on Israel and force it to abide by international laws regarding treatment of prisoners.

The motion received overwhelming support from legislators with a number of them condemning Israel’s settlements policy, arbitrary arrests and the treatment of prisoners.

“We express our unconditional support to all prisoners in the prisons of the occupying forces, including members of the Palestinian parliament, led by the freedom fighter, Marwan Barghouti,” the declaration read.

Bashir Ali, a representative of Sudan, said the African Union body rightly condemned Israeli occupation of Palestine since it represents the voices of African people who once faced injustices under colonialism.

Gabriel Smith, a legislator from Liberia, called for a fact-finding mission to Palestine.

Last month, more than 1,000 Palestinian political prisoners incarcerated at Israeli prisons embarked on a hunger strike.

The inmates are demanding lifting of restrictions on family visits, better medical care, improved treatment of female prisoners and end to solitary confinement. Israel’s policy of “administrative detention” allows suspects to be jailed without trial or charge.

Established in 2004, the Pan African Parliament is a legislative organ of the African Union, which aims to ensure full participation of the peoples of Africa and their grassroots organizations in governance and economic integration.

It also aims to promote human rights and democracy in Africa and boost peace, security and stability across the continent.