OIC calls for Action: Halting war crimes against Palestinians in Israeli detention

The escalation of Israeli troops’ arbitrary arrest operations against Palestinians has alarmed the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). On the eve of Palestinian Prisoners Day, it was reported that Israel now holds over 9,500 detainees, including over 200 minors and 80 female inmates. Approximately 600 inmates are receiving life sentences, while more than 3,600 are administrative detainees who are not subject to charges or trials.

A site of human rights violations:

The OIC reiterated its denunciation of Israeli actions that, since October 7, have resulted in the deaths of sixteen Palestinian detainees in Israeli jails. Twenty-seven Gaza detainees have perished as a result of medical malpractice and torture. The OIC emphasized that the suffering of Palestinian detainees is a symbol of rights violations and a loss of justice. The statement continued, noting that the prisoners have been denied the most fundamental human rights and accusing the Israeli authorities of collective punishment, abuse, persecution, neglect, and isolation, it said that they have no one to bring them justice against “the most heinous, systematic inhuman practices committed against them.” 

Impact on Palestinian communities

In blatant defiance of all norms and regulations outlined in international humanitarian law, the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, the Charter of Human Rights, and other pertinent international treaties, they have also been the victims of physical and psychological torture. The OIC urged the international community and capable human rights organizations to take up their duties and endeavor to force the Israeli government to handle Palestinian prisoners in compliance with international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and all other pertinent international conventions. Along with reiterating its solidarity and support for the rights of Palestinian prisoners and its commitment to working to bring their suffering and message to the attention of the international community in order to secure their release and achieve justice, it also called for an investigation into all crimes committed by Israeli authorities against prisoners.

Urgent intervention and advocacy

The ongoing Israeli military aggression, genocide, forced relocation, and destruction against the Palestinian people have been strongly condemned by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). As of December 27, 2023, six people had died in Tulkarm, in the West Bank. In addition, hundreds more people, mostly women and children have been hurt throughout the Gaza Strip, and ongoing attacks on media, humanitarian, health, and other sectors of the economy, as well as UN personnel, are being carried out in blatant disregard for the most recent Security Council and General Assembly resolutions. The OIC denounced the Israeli occupation for its ongoing denial of food, medication, water, medical attention, security, and other necessities to the civilian Palestinian people. It reaffirmed its demand that the international community take on its share of the blame for putting an end to Israeli military aggression, making sure that enough humanitarian aid is delivered to the Gaza Strip in a sustainable manner, thwarting attempts to forcefully remove Palestinian civilians from their homes, and protecting the Palestinian people in accordance with pertinent United Nations resolutions.

Documentation and accountability

The Conference proudly acknowledged the courageous Palestinian people and their rightful leadership, led by the courageous President Yasser Arafat, for their resistance against Israeli aggression. In order to allow the Palestinian people to travel freely within and outside of the Palestinian lands, it demanded that the blockade on them and President Yasser Arafat be lifted immediately. It denounced recent Israeli threats against President Arafat and reiterated its commitment to providing the Palestinian people with political, material, and moral support in order to enable them to reclaim their inalienable national rights, which include the right of return, the right to self-determination, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Al-Quds Sharif as its capital. 

The conference demanded that the UN Security Council take up its duty of maintaining global peace and security by pressuring Israel to cease its acts of aggression and state terrorism, which include killing civilians, carrying out assassinations, detaining people, imposing collective punishment, persistently invading territories, occupying towns, cities, and Palestinian refugee camps, demolishing Palestinian homes, and destroying the national economy and Palestinian Authority’s institutions and infrastructure. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the latest unilateral proposal by Israel emphasized that no one has the authority to bargain for the national rights of the Palestinian people and their duly elected and legitimate leadership with Israel or to transfer those rights to the latter.