Underage Female detainee deprived of their basic rights

Saed Bannoura, IMEMC & Agencies

October 30, 2004

International Middle East Media Center

Lawyer of the Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs reported that female detainees under the age of 18, in Al-Ramlah prison are suffering from inhumane conditions and treatment, in violation of international law and the basic rights of children.

The lawyer stated he met with a number of underage detainees who informed him that they are facing very difficult conditions and continuous violations of their basic rights.

The detainees told the lawyer that last week sewage water flooded into their room at night, and despite their screams the soldiers did nothing to alleviate the situation.

Moreover, the detainees said that they are imprisoned in the same rooms with female prisoners held for criminal charges, who continuously assault and humiliate them.

Food served in the prison is of poor quality and is often undercooked, which forces detainees to buy food from the prison Canteen at relatively high prices.

The detainees said that there are several sick detainees suffering from allergies, ophthalmic and dental problems and complain that the clinic in the prison specializes in dealing with addicts and alcoholics.

Moreover, the detainees said that they are deprived of visitations and are continuously subjected to provocative searches. In addition, they are barred from visiting each other in their rooms.

According to the statistics of the Ministry of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, there are 56 female detainees in Al-Ramlah detention, among them 6 detainees are under the age of 18.

The under-age detainees in Al-Ramlah are; Hiba Jarrar, 17 years old from Jenin; Aya Oweis, 17, from Jenin; Yosra Abdo, 17, Nablus; Islam Adween, 17, Bethlehem; Ghada Abu Hmeid, 14, Yatta near Hebron; Rasha Al-Azza, 17, Deheishe refugee camp in Bethlehem.

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