Friday 17 September 2010

Natshe: Solitary confinement a tomb for the living

[ 16/09/2010 - 12:42 PM ]

AL-KHALIL, (PIC)-- Palestinian MP Mohammed Jamal Al-Natshe, who was released a few days ago from Israeli jails, said that he spent half his 8-year sentence in solitary confinement, which he described as a "tomb for the living".

He said in a statement on Thursday that the isolation of prisoners in Israeli jails puts the human mind near to madness, adding that it is difficult for any human being kept in isolation to remain sane.

Natshe said that all free people of the world and human rights organizations should raise their voices out loud to end the crime of solitary confinement of Palestinian prisoners.

He said that 15 Palestinians are facing unknown destiny as a result of their continued isolation, urging for a speedy end to their ordeal and noting that some of them are suffering chronic diseases.

The ex-prisoner said that those held in isolation are allowed a daily stroll outside their cells in an area of 3 by 4 meters yard while both their feet are shackled and their hand are cuffed behind their backs.

He said that Israeli wardens search the cells four times day and night and prisoners are handcuffed even when they go to meet their lawyers.

Describing solitary confinement as the worst form of torture, Natshe explained that homicide convicts near to the isolation cells insult God, religion, honor, and shout all kinds of bad words.

He recalled that during his four years in isolation he was completely isolated from the outside world, describing ordinary prison cells as a "paradise" compared to the isolation cells.

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