Ramallah, 27 January 2022 (TDI): Critical illness requires immediate attention. UN agencies call for the immediate release of a critically ill Palestinian child detained in Israel.
From UNICEF, UNRWA, and OHCHR, on the 20th of January, 2022
Amal Nakhleh’s detention has been extended by Israeli authorities to May 18, 2022, without charge or trial. Amal, who was 17 at the time of her arrest, has been in administrative detention for more than a year.
The disease that Amal suffers from is a severe autoimmune disease that requires her to receive continuous medical attention. He has not been informed as to the nature of the arrest by either of his lawyers or family.
UN agencies @UNICEF @UNHumanRights and @UNRWA call for the immediate and unconditional release from detention of a seriously ill Palestinian child Amal Nakhleh detained in Israel. https://t.co/CfAgWlo8U0
— United Nations Palestinian Rights Committee (@UNISPAL) January 20, 2022
In accordance with international human rights law, Amal should be released unconditionally and immediately from custody. As stipulated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, any detention of a child must be a last resort in accordance with Israeli law.
In addition to the right to access legal and other appropriate assistance in the event of a child’s deprivation of liberty, every child who has been deprived of his or her liberty has the right to challenge the legality of the deprivation before a court of law or other competent, independent, and impartial authority, and has the right to a timely decision.
It has been one of the longest cases in which a Palestinian child has been detained without charge or trial, the case of Amal being one of the most extreme cases. The case, however, is not an isolated incident. Additionally, three Palestinians under the age of 18 are being held in administrative detention at this time.
In his report on Children and Armed Conflict, UN Secretary-General has urged Israel to cease administratively detaining children every year since 2015 in line with the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child. It is a practice that robs children of their liberties, and we must stop it as soon as possible.”
Background Information
The Israeli government extended the detention of Palestinian teenager Amal Nakhleh until the end of the year on January 13, 2022. Israel has extended the detention of a chronically ill Palestinian teenager for four additional months without charge or trial for the second time in a year.
Amal Nakhleh, 17, is one of the minors being held in what is known as administrative detention. Under this controversial practice, suspects are held without charge for periods of six months that can be extended.
As a result of his diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, a rare form of neuromuscular disease, Nakhaleh has been unable to move. A very little amount of activity may cause the child to become excessively tired, and he or she may have difficulty chewing and swallowing.
Poor eye movements and drooping eyelids can result in problems with vision. Despite receiving treatment, patients with myasthenia gravis can experience episodes of increased weakness. It is not possible to cure juvenile or congenital myasthenia gravis, although the symptoms can be controlled. The condition is typically permanent.
After the latest hearing, Moammar Nakhleh, the detainee’s father, stated: “The occupation tribunal, despite my son’s illness, has renewed his detention for the fourth time.”
Shin Bet, Israel’s domestic security agency, declined to comment on the reason for the detention of Amal Nakhleh, according to AFP. He has been reported to be suspected of participating in terrorist activities in the past.
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