The U.N. special Rapporteur on the human-rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, Richard Falk, has condemned Israel's use of solitary confinement against Palestinian children, and urged the Israeli government to treat Palestinian children detainees in accordance with international human-rights laws. “Israel's use of solitary confinement against children flagrantly violates international human-rights standards," Falk told a U.N. meeting in Geneva. “Using solitary confinement as a punishment for Palestinian children who wish to peacefully protest their situation, including by commencing a hunger strike against conditions of detention, is an appalling abuse of child prisoners." “This pattern of abuse by Israel is grave," Falk continued. “It is inhumane, cruel, degrading, and unlawful, and, most worryingly, it is likely to adversely affect the mental and physical health of underage detainees." Last month, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy named Khaled was placed for five days in solitary confinement because he started a hunger strike. In another case, a 16-year-old boy was placed in solitary confinement for seven days as a punishment for hanging a Palestinian flag in a cell. Another 16-year-old boy spent 12 days in solitary confinement during the interrogation at Al Jalame interrogation center. “I again condemn Israel's harsh arrest operations and procedures, during which Palestinian children are tightly bound and blindfolded," Falk said, recalling his latest report to the Geneva-based Human Rights Council. “Prison conditions are often deplorable, requiring children to sleep on the floor or on a concrete bed in a windowless cell." Falk said that, in 53 cases reported since 2008 by non-governmental organization Defense for Children International, Palestinian children aged between 15 and 17 have been held in solitary confinement for periods ranging from 1 to 24 days. Falk also said that Palestinian children, especially from Gaza, are denied visits by parents and access to lawyers.
