RAMALLAH, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Palestinians marked the national prisoners' day on Wednesday, expressing support to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The Palestinians called for international support to prisoners who face ill treatment and inhumane incarceration conditions.
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged the High Contracting Parties to the four Geneva conventions to shoulder their legal responsibility and honor their obligation under the international law to provide the Palestinians, especially children, with protection.
The ministry also called for taking necessary measures to hold Israel, as an occupying power, accountable for its crimes and continued violation against the Palestinian people.
According to the latest statistics released by the Palestinian Prisoners Club (PPC), there are currently 5,700 Palestinians in Israeli jails, including 250 children, 47 women, and 500 under administrative detention.
The PPC said in its latest report that Israeli ill treatment of Palestinian prisoners is "grave and systematic violations of international laws," adding that Israel neglects fair trial in accordance with international humanitarian law and human rights principles.
It urged the international community to "immediately intervene to fulfil its legal and ethical obligations towards Palestinians and hold Israel accountable for its daily crimes."
It said the total number of Palestinians arrested since 1967 has reached one million, adding that Israeli "systematic medical negligence" of prisoners has led to the death of 218 Palestinians in custody since 1967.
The Palestinian National Council, which is considered the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) parliament, has declared April 17 as national prisoners' day since 1974, a day to unite efforts in support of the prisoners plight for freedom.
