Human Rights and Democracy Media Center – SHAMS, urges the United Nations Specialized Organizations and the International Red Cross Society to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities. We call upon them to press the Occupation State to abide by international law and implement The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules) for Palestinian prisoners in its prisons and interrogation centers. It is crucial to ensure that the rights and dignity of all prisoners are upheld and respected in accordance with international human rights standards. By doing so, we strive to promote a just and humane approach to incarceration and contribute to the protection of human rights in the region
The United Nations General Assembly adopted the rules in the year 2015 and they represent the minimum standards that all persons, deprived of their liberty, are entitled to. The rules focus on improving the prisoners’ circumstances, dealing with diseased, injured, children, and women prisoners, and ensure providing the appropriate environment, nutrition, drinking water, and medicine to all prisoners, with no exceptions.
SHAMS Center affirms that there are still thousands of Palestinian prisoners, in the Israeli prisons, living under circumstances that fall below the minimum standards affirmed by international human rights law and denied the right to protection and well-being of prisoners according to the IHRL. Not only that, but also Palestinian prisoners are subject to various forms of torture and cruel degrading treatment. Palestinian prisoners live under these circumstances while the United Nations celebrates annually (on July 18), the annual anniversary of the prominent leader and figure, Nelson Mandela. Celebrating the anniversary of Mandela is a tribute to his invaluable contribution to the culture of peace and freedom. It is also an expression of appreciation for his supreme values and unwavering dedication to serving humanity and human rights, especially in his efforts to combat racism in South Africa. During his time as the elected president of South Africa, he played a pivotal role in fighting against institutionalized racism, poverty, and inequality while promoting ethnic reconciliation. Mandela’s legacy continues to inspire and remind us of the importance of unity, equality, and justice for all.
SHAMS Center asserts that the United Nations’ Resolution to expand the International Day of Nelson Mandela to be dedicated to urge for improving the human conditions inside the prisons, trough issuing The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules), in the year 2015, is a significant valuable step on the global level. However, these rules should be applicable all over the world, especially to the Palestinian prisoners in the Israeli Occupation’s prisons and interrogation centers.
SHAMS Center believes that tribute the great international activist Nelson Mandela should be through following up on his steps and pursue the struggle against oppression, occupation, and apartheid all over the world. Struggle to achieve justice, freedom, combating apartheid, combating poverty, and documenting human rights violations and realizing reconciliation universally, need strong international political will to end the existing apartheid regimes. Among these regimes is the Israeli apartheid regime that exercises all forms of oppression, injustice, and racism against Palestinians.
SHAMS Center stresses that struggle against apartheid is a global mission. The Center emphasizes that Palestinians are going on with their struggle, through all available means affirmed by the international law for all nations under oppression. SHAMS Center reminds with the words of Great Mandela: “We believe that our Freedom is not complete, without the freedom of Palestinians”. Palestinians are going on in their journey of struggle to achieve freedom, independence, self- determination, and the entire national rights that are confiscated by the occupation.
SHAMS Center praises the heritage of late Nelson Mandela and his struggle and sacrifice for freedom and self- determination. The history of Mandela would remain alive in the memories of all human beings and would remain an inspiring minaret for advocating the values of freedom, democracy, justice, and human rights.