Human rights NGO: Hana Shalabi in danger of imminent death

By Haggai Matar March 19, 2012 | Edit

Physicians for Human Rights issued a statement Monday evening warning that hunger striking administrative detainee Hana Shalabi is facing the risk of death. The message comes at the end of 33 days of Shalabi’s hunger strike, and is based on a physical examination carried out today in prison by a physician working with the NGO. Following the examination, Shalabi was ~~transferred~~ taken to Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba. [Update: Apparently Shalabi was taken but not admitted to the hospital, and returned to prison. PHR and Addameer are now pressuring IPS to take her buck to the hospital immediately].

According to PHR:

The deterioration is expressed in a process of muscle breakdown, with a weight loss of14 kg(31 lb.) since the onset of the hunger strike, a very slow pulse, and a drop in blood sodium levels. These symptoms could indicate grave damage to the heart and the beginning of the breakdown of the heart muscle, which could lead to heart failure at any moment… The attending physician adds that Shalabi is not taking medications, has gone from ambulatory independence to being dependent on others for locomotion, and suffers from significant weakness, low blood pressure, serious pain throughout her body, significant sensitivity in her upper abdominal region, and serious dizziness.

Meanwhile, a new video clip has been uploaded and spread around by Shalabi’s supporters, in which the detainee’s sister, Zahera Shalabi, speaks of her feelings and fears for her striking sibling. Both PHR and the family call for international intervention to help free Hana Shalabi:

[Shot and edited by Vivien Sansour, with editing support by ListenIn Pictures]

Hana Shalabi, a 29-year-old woman from the West Bank village of Burqin, was formally held for 25 months in administrative detention, released last October in the Schalit prisoner swap, and re-arrested within four months of her release. Since her second arrest, Shalabi has refused to eat in protest of her continued detention without charges or trial. The IDF claims it has intelligence indicating Shalabi might endanger regional security. Yesterday (Sunday), PA officials stated that Israel offered to release Shalabi and deport her to the Gaza Strip – an offer which was refused by the PA, which demands her immediate and unconditional release.

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TEST TEST GAL Our team has been devastated by the horrific events of this latest war. The world is reeling from Israel’s unprecedented onslaught on Gaza, inflicting mass devastation and death upon besieged Palestinians, as well as the atrocious attack and kidnappings by Hamas in Israel on October 7. Our hearts are with all the people and communities facing this violence. We are in an extraordinarily dangerous era in Israel-Palestine. The bloodshed has reached extreme levels of brutality and threatens to engulf the entire region. Emboldened settlers in the West Bank, backed by the army, are seizing the opportunity to intensify their attacks on Palestinians. The most far-right government in Israel’s history is ramping up its policing of dissent, using the cover of war to silence Palestinian citizens and left-wing Jews who object to its policies. This escalation has a very clear context, one that +972 has spent the past 14 years covering: Israeli society’s growing racism and militarism, entrenched occupation and apartheid, and a normalized siege on Gaza. We are well positioned to cover this perilous moment – but we need your help to do it. This terrible period will challenge the humanity of all of those working for a better future in this land. Palestinians and Israelis are already organizing and strategizing to put up the fight of their lives. Can we count on your support? +972 Magazine is a leading media voice of this movement, a desperately needed platform where Palestinian and Israeli journalists, activists, and thinkers can report on and analyze what is happening, guided by humanism, equality, and justice. Join us.

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