The Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Nigeria Abdallah M. Abu Shawesh, has reviewed harrowing conditions endured by Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian political leader and member of the Fateh Central Committee, in an Israeli prison since October 7, 2023
In a press statement on May 21, 2024, Shawesh said, Barghouti, who is serving multiple life sentences for charges he denies, has reportedly been subjected to severe torture and ill-treatment under directives from the far-right Israeli Minister of National Security.
According to Shawesh, Barghouti's days are spent in a cramped, dark solitary cell, suffering from untreated injuries, including a shoulder injury inflicted while being dragged with his hands cuffed.
Legal practitioner Igal Dotan, who is said visited Barghouti two months ago, described his deteriorating physical condition despite his mental resilience. Dotan noted that Barghouti is struggling with vision loss in his right eye and significant weight loss, indicating a decline in his overall health.
Qadura Fares, Head of the Palestinian Prisoners' Society and former detainee, emphasized that the Israeli authorities are using the ongoing conflict as a pretext to exact revenge on Palestinian prisoners.
The press statement also highlighted the broader context of widespread arrests since October 7, 2023, totaling 8,775 individuals, including women, minors, senior detainees, administrative detainees, and journalists. Shawesh pointed out that Israel holds the bodies of 26 prisoners who died due to alleged medical negligence.
In his statement, Ambassador Shawesh called on the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations, and the Human Rights Council to fulfill their mandates by conducting regular visits to Palestinian prisoners. He urged these organizations to ensure that prisoners are treated according to international law and to document and report on their conditions to hold Israel accountable as an occupying power.
