Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs – June 30, 2024
The policy of abuse and punishment imposed on Palestinian female prisoners is not new. However, its intensity and frequency have significantly increased since October 7, 2023. Female prisoners have been completely isolated from the outside world, stripped of basic rights such as clothing and personal belongings, subjected to hunger and deprivation of food, and denied access to medical treatment, despite the critical health conditions of some suffering from chronic illnesses.
In addition to the physical harm and repression they face during arrest and imprisonment, the women endure psychological warfare, harassment during invasive strip searches, and constant threats against their families.
According to a lawyer from the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs, after a recent visit to Damon Prison, the situation has worsened with the arrival of summer. Temperatures inside the prison are extremely high, rooms are sealed with no airflow, and all fans have been removed. Compounding the issue, rooms are overcrowded, with spaces designed for five detainees now housing ten. Guards deliberately close the small window openings on cell doors to prevent air circulation.
The escalating restrictions and punitive measures reflect the continuation of a deliberate policy of oppression against female Palestinian prisoners, violating their basic human rights.