BRUSSELS, Friday, October 30, 2020 (WAFA) – The European Union is closely following the rapidly deteriorating health condition of hunger-striking Palestinian detainee Mahar Al-Akhras, who has been on hunger strike since July in protest of his administrative detention without formal charges in Israel, today said the EU spokesman Peter Stano in a statement.

Stano said, “Regardless of the allegations against Mr. Al-Akhras, the European Union reiterates its long-standing concerns about the extensive use by Israel of administrative detention without formal charges.”

“Around 350 Palestinians are currently being held in administrative detention. Detainees have the right to be informed about the charges underlying any detention and be subject to a fair trial,” he added.

The European Union called on the Israeli occupation authorities to fully respect international humanitarian law as well as its human rights obligations towards all prisoners, also in light of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and to do all it can to preserve the health of Al-Akhras in the continued handling of this case.

M.N