Reference :
V-F-CR-F-01095-A
Date :
06/2011
Title :
Gaza detainees barred from family visits
Duration :
00:10:03
Editor :
unknown
Confidentiality level :
public
Publication restrictions :
reserved users only
ICRC producer :
GOIN, Maria Cecilia; REVOL, Didier
Description :
In June 2007, the Israeli authorities announced the suspension of family visits for Palestinians from Gaza who were being held in Israel. This decision, which was made a year after Palestinian armed groups captured the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, deprives both the detainees and their relatives of an essential lifeline, and cuts detainees off from the outside world. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) regards contacts between detainees and their families as a strictly humanitarian issue. The decision by the Israelis is of particular consequence for children, whose ties to their detained parents may become frayed or may even be severed. The ICRC has been facilitating family visits from the West Bank and Gaza for over 40 years, and has repeatedly called on the Israeli authorities to let the visits resume. Relatives of the detainees - including mothers, wives and children - hold a weekly protest in front of the ICRC's office in Gaza. They hold photographs of their loved ones who are being held in Israeli places of detention; they hope that such demonstrations of solidarity will persuade the authorities to lift the suspension of the visits. The ICRC also constantly reminds Hamas of its obligation, under international humanitarian law, to preserve Gilad Shalit's life, to treat him humanely and to allow him regular and unrestricted contact with his family.
English title :
Gaza detainees barred from family visits
Colour/B&W :
colour
Aspect ratio :
16/9
Original material/format :
HDV
Best material/format available :
DVCam
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