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<h1><font size=4><b>Concern mounts for the life of Akram Rikhawi on his
85th day of hunger strike
</b></font></h1><font size=3>
<a href="http://www.addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=494" eudora="autourl">
http://www.addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=494<br><br>
</a><i>An independent doctor from PHR-IL visited Akram Rikhawi yesterday
and an Addameer lawyer visited him today, along with Samer Al-Barq and
Hassan Safadi. Samer and Hassan are still denied access to independent
doctors.<br><br>
</i><b>Joint Press Release, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights
Association and Physicians for Human Rights-Israel<br>
</b> <br>
<i>Ramallah-Jaffa</i>, <i>5 July 2012<br><br>
</i>Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-IL) and Addameer Prisoner
Support and Human Rights Association are gravely concerned for the life
of <a href="http://www.addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=491"><b>Akram
Rikhawi</a></b>, who is now on his 85th day of
<a href="http://www.addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=489">hunger strike</a>.
An independent doctor from PHR-IL visited Akram in Ramleh prison medical
center yesterday, 4 July, which was made possible only after an appeal to
the Israeli District Court, where the judge eventually ordered the
Israeli Prison Service (IPS) to allow the entry of the independent doctor
no later than 3 July.<br>
<br>
Following the visit to Akram, the PHR-IL doctor reported the alarming
deterioration of Akram’s asthma, which continues to be unstable. The
doctor believes Akram has been given very high doses of steroids as
treatment, which can cause severe long-term and irreversible damage. The
doctor reiterated recommendation for immediate examination by a lung
specialist, which was not performed as recommended after the
<a href="http://www.addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=486">last visit</a> by
an independent doctor on 6 June.<br><br>
Akram also reported that he is experiencing severe dizziness, can no
longer walk and is having difficulty standing. Even more troubling, Akram
has not been given any assistance in these matters, leaving him
vulnerable to the danger of falling, which could result in fatal injury
due to his osteoporosis. The doctor further noted that Akram is
experiencing tingling and numbness in his left thigh, which could
indicate peripheral nerve damage, and recommended immediate examination
in a public hospital, for fear of permanent neurological damage.<br>
<br>
The IPS has continued to punish Akram for his hunger strike by
confiscating his books and reading materials, isolating him from other
prisoners and cancelling his daily break. He is also being held in a cell
with no fan or air conditioning, despite the high humidity and how badly
it affects his asthma.<br>
<br>
Akram pointed out to the independent doctor and to Addameer lawyer Mona
Neddaf in her visit today that he was recently hospitalized at Assaf
Harofeh Hospital, but was shackled at all times to the hospital bed and
felt his needs were mostly ignored by the medical staff. He emphasized to
Ms. Neddaf his desire to have unrestricted access to the independent
doctors from PHR-IL.<br>
<br>
Ms. Neddaf also visited <b>Samer Al-Barq</b>, who is on his 45th day of
renewed hunger strike in protest against the extension of his
administrative detention. Ms. Neddaf noted that he seems significantly
weaker than during her
<a href="http://www.addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=492">last visit</a> on
25 June. He is consuming only water with glucose.<br>
<br>
Samer’s family has reported that he suffers from kidney problems and high
blood pressure and has lost more than 25% of his original weight. On 21
June, PHR-IL submitted a request to allow access for independent
physicians. On 25 June the IPS denied this request without providing any
reasons.<br>
<br>
<b>Hassan Safadi</b> is on his 15th day of
<a href="http://www.addameer.org/etemplate.php?id=490">renewed hunger
strike</a>, after previously spending 71 days on prolonged hunger strike.
His last administrative detention order was due to expire on 29 June and,
according to the agreement ending Palestinian prisoners’ mass hunger
strike, he was supposed to be released on that date. However, his lawyer
was informed on 21 June of the renewal of his administrative detention
order for a further six months, in violation of the agreement.<br>
<br>
According to Ms. Neddaf after her visit with him today, Hassan’s lawyer
submitted a request to the military judge that he review the agreement
and consider his immediate release. The judge responded that he would
give a decision on this matter in two weeks. Hassan stressed that he will
not break his hunger strike until he is release to his home in
Nablus.<br>
<br>
Hassan was transferred to Ramleh prison medical center last week and is
currently being held in an isolated cell. He is drinking water with salt
and taking vitamins due to a low potassium level in his blood. He has
lost approximately 8 kilos in weight since the beginning of his renewed
strike. PHR-IL submitted a request to allow access for an independent
doctor on 26 June and have not yet received a response from the IPS.<br>
<u> <br>
</u>In light of the deterioration of the conditions of the remaining
Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike, PHR-IL and Addameer urge the
international community to immediately intervene on their behalf and
demand:
<ul>
<li>unrestricted access for independent physicians to all hunger
strikers;
<li>the immediate transfer of Akram Rikhawi and Samer Al-Barq to a public
hospital, and the transfer of all prisoners on hunger strike for more
than 40 days to public hospitals;
<li>that no hunger striker be shackled while hospitalized;
<li>that all hunger strikersespecially those in advanced stages of
hunger strikebe allowed family visits, while they are still lucid;
<li>that all information be given to families as to the medical condition
of their loved ones, which is the responsibility of hospitals and medical
staff in accordance with standards of medical ethics;
<li>that Akram Rikhawi be granted release on humanitarian grounds;
<li>that Hassan Safadi and Samer Al-Barq, along with all other
administrative detainees, be immediately and unconditionally released.
</font>
</ul><br><br>
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