UN urges proper solution to Palestinian prisoners' hunger strike 28 August 2004
UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The United Nations on Friday voiced concern at a reported hunger strike by over 2,900 Palestinian prisoners which was launched two weeks ago to demand an end to inhuman conditions.
In a joint statement issued by more than a dozen UN institutions operating in the occupied Palestinian territories,the world body reminded Israel of its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention, governing the protection of civilians in time of war, and other relevant human rights instruments providing for the protection of detainees and prisoners.
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan supported the statement and hopes that the matter will be resolved soon in a manner consistent with international humanitarian law, his spokesman Stephane Dujarric told a press briefing in New York.
Meanwhile, the UN special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Terje Roed-Larsen, urged Israel to make every effort tofind, with the prisoners, an appropriate resolution to the hunger strike.
According to the Israeli Prison Service, more than 2,900 prisoners have joined the hunger strike that began on Aug. 15. The Palestinian National Authority quoted a slightly higher figure. More than 8,000 prisoners are currently detained by Israel on security grounds. Of these, more than 90 are women and 360 are children, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF). Enditem
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