Mohamed S. Kamel

Mr. BILL GRAHAM
FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER

I am writing to protest, in the strongest possible terms, the appalling conditions under which Palestinian political prisoners are being held in Israeli prisons. According to reports by the prisoners, they, as well as their families, are being subjected to gross violations of their rights.

At a press conference held in Jerusalem on August 13th by the Public Security Minister, Tzachi Hanegbi, the Minister did not deny any of the complaints filed by the prisoners. In fact, he insinuated that they deserve the treatment that they are receiving in the prisons, thus corroborating the complaints of the prisoners. The treatment that prisoners are subjected to violates both Israeli and international laws.

Minister Hanegbi took the position that the prisoners "can strike for a day, a month, even starve to death," as far as he is concerned. Instead of such an intransigent and arrogant position, the government of Israel and its main supporter, the government of the United States, should immediately investigate the complaints of the prisoners and take immediate action to stop any violations of the rights of the prisoners and their families.

I call on the Canadian government to break its silence and to speak out against the Israeli human rights abuses being committed against Palestinian prisoners and to place pressure on the Israeli authorities to abide by international laws and conventions with regards to the treatment of prisoners.

* Mohamed S. Kamel, ing., President
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