The Prisoners’ Media Office confirmed on Wednesday that approximately 70 Palestinian female prisoners are spending the holy month of Ramadan in Damon Prison, including 24 mothers, under harsh detention conditions and deprivation of the most basic human rights.
In a press release, the office stated that the families of the female prisoners are observing the holy month with empty chairs and a painful absence, as family visits are prohibited and restrictions are imposed on lawyers, amidst the ongoing state of emergency within the prisons.
The office noted that most of the female prisoners are detained on charges of “incitement,” and include journalists, university students, and minors.
It also highlighted the suffering of 10-year-old Elia Melitat, who is spending Ramadan away from her parents, who are being held in administrative detention, and awaits news of them through lawyers instead of sharing the Iftar meal with them.
The office documented testimonies from released female prisoners who confirmed that the prison administration prevents the entry of Ramadan calendars, depriving the prisoners of knowing when the month begins. They also reported being served cold meals all at once, soup that is “more like water,” unclean water, and insufficient food rations to satisfy their hunger. The statement indicated that female prisoners face daily humiliations, including being deprived of fruit, being given rotten vegetables, three spoonfuls of rice, an excessively hard-boiled egg, and six pieces of bread per day. It noted that any objection could be met with punishments, including food deprivation.
The office also confirmed the lack of adequate healthcare, particularly for those with chronic illnesses, as they are given only one medication for all their conditions. This deliberate medical neglect exacerbates the suffering of the female prisoners.
