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UN experts condemn arbitrary detention of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and other doctors from Gaza, and call for their release
Today, four UN Special Rapporteurs, including Francesca Albanese, “urged Israel to immediately release Palestinian Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and all the health and care workers arbitrarily detained.”
The experts stated, “Dr. Abu Safiya’s ongoing arbitrary detention without charges or trial is a reflection of Israel’s systematic targeting of Palestinian health workers and the continuing decimation of the health care system in Gaza in order to inflict conditions to bring about the mental and physical destruction of Palestinians.”
The reference to his arbitrary detention, and that of all the Palestinian health workers held in Israel’s prisons (75 in total, as I reported in May), followed an opinion issued by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on June 3.
The experts stated that Dr. Abu Safiya, “along with other medical staff and patients”, were “illegally detained by Israel on the basis of the abusive Unlawful Combatants’ Law”, and “stressed that the number of widespread violations of the special protection afforded to civilians, as well as violations related to the lack of protection for medical personnel, have been immeasurable under both international humanitarian law and international human rights law.”
They added that “Israel and its allies have ignored the International Court of Justice and UN mechanisms and experts as they continue to commit these violations of international law without any consequences”, also stating that, “In light of ongoing reports of continued severe torture and the latest reports suggesting that his injuries could lead to imminent death, Israel must ensure that Dr. Abu Safiya has access to immediate and adequate medical care”, and called for his immediate release.
They also underscored how Dr. Abu Safiya’s “dedication, expertise and compassion” were “vital in delivering essential health services, as he supported the most vulnerable populations”, and added, “Israel has turned the practice of medicine into a crime – and made health and care workers targets of harassment, intimidation, arrests, torture and death. This must stop.”
