UN envoy calls on Israel to preserve health of Palestinian detainee on hunger strike

U.N. - Top Stories Friday 10th February, 2012

The United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process today called on Israel to do everything in its power to preserve the health of a Palestinian detainee who is on a hunger strike and to resolve the case.

Khader Adnan has been refusing food since 18 December in protest at his detention without charge, according to media reports. Early this month, a military court reportedly ordered that he be held in administrative detention for four months.

Special Coordinator Robert Serry called on the Israeli Government "to do everything in its power to preserve the health of the prisoner and to resolve the case while abiding by all legal obligations under international law," according to a statement issued by his office.

During his recent visit to the region, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon discussed the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody with the Palestinian Minister of Prisoners' Affairs.

Mr. Serry's office is following up on some of the issues related to the question of prisoners, particularly on the use of administrative detention.

The statement noted that administrative detention "should only be employed in exceptional circumstances, for as short a period as possible, and without prejudice to the rights guaranteed to prisoners."