"Israel" must immediately release Ahmad Manasra: EU
3 Min Read
The European Union urges Israeli occupation authorities to halt the solitary confinement of 20-year-old Ahmad Manasra.
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Ahmad’s family poses for a portrait with his sister, Sham, in their home in East Al-Quds, Nov. 8, 2022 (AP)
Another appeal by Palestinian prisoner Ahmad Manasra was once again rejected on Thursday despite his difficult physical and mental health condition, reflecting "Israel's" insistence on its arbitrariness.
Simultaneously, the European Union urged Israeli occupation authorities on Friday to halt the solitary confinement of 20-year-old Ahmad and provide him with much-needed psychological counseling and support.
Israeli courts have been stalling for months now the release of #AhmadManasra from solitary confinement. pic.twitter.com/056iLUCMUl
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 20, 2022
“Today, the EU and some Member States attended Ahmad Manasra’s hearing. The Court extended his one-year-long solitary confinement for another 4 months. The UN stipulates solitary confinement beyond 15 days constitutes torture,” the EU office in Palestine tweeted.
#AlMayadeen correspondent reported that the Israeli occupation Central Court rejected the appeal of prisoner #AhmadManasra for his release. Activists on social media circulated this video in which Manasra appears before the court, saying that he misses his family the most. pic.twitter.com/9bAbI2VLQC
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) September 1, 2022
“Appeal to Israeli authorities to end his solitary confinement immediately & ensure he receives the necessary psychological counseling & support. Given serious international concerns about fair trial standards & due process in this case, we call on Israeli authorities to urgently release him,” the EU added.
This is happening as activists from all over the world launched a campaign in solidarity with Manasra, voicing his right to be safe among his family, watching World cup matches, and enjoying his childhood. Activists have also printed Manasra’s photo on t-shirts that will be distributed during the Qatar World cup matches.
أحمد مناصرة أحد أطفال فلسطين الذين يغيبهم الاحتلال قسراً في زنازنيه ويحرمهم من أبسط حقوقهم، يتمنى أحمد أن يحضر لأرض المونديال أسوة بأطفال العالم
— إذاعة صوت القدس (@qudsradio) November 23, 2022
فهل تتحقق أمنية أحمد قريباً؟!
#كأس_العالم_2022
#ريتكم_معنا pic.twitter.com/Ht55Z7Fojc
نشطاء يطبعون صورة الأسير المقدسي أحمد مناصرة على قمصان لتوزيعها وارتدائها في مدرجات ملاعب مونديال قطر 2022.#الحرية_لأحمد_مناصرة #كأس_العالم_قطر2022 #كأس_العالم_2022 pic.twitter.com/oRLZjj40hz
— Samar Mohammad 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@samarmoh1177) November 24, 2022
Manasra was only 13 years old when the Israeli occupation arrested him under false accusations. He has been in solitary confinement since early November 2021.
He has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, is suffering from psychotic delusions, and is severely depressed with suicidal thoughts.
Who is Ahmad Manasra?
Born on January 22, 2002, in occupied Al-Quds, Ahmad Manasra is one of a family of ten.
With the beginning of the popular uprising in 2015, arrests against children in occupied Al-Quds escalated and were accompanied by systematic abuse and torture.
On October 12, 2015, Ahmad and his cousin Hassan - who was martyred on that day - were subjected to brutal abuse by Israeli occupation forces and settlers.
They has extended the solitary confinement of Palestinian prisoner #AhmadManasra for another 4 months, despite his dire physical and mental conditions.
— Hala Alani (@Thejourneyend) November 25, 2022
He was detained by the occupation forces in 2015 at the age of 13 after shooting and injuring him. pic.twitter.com/A8SnQIp1fI
This day marked a turning point in Ahmad's life. As a result of his arrest, interrogation, and physical and psychological torture, even while receiving treatment in the hospital, he suffered from a fractured skull and serious health conditions.
After several sessions, the Israeli occupation court issued a verdict of 12 years in prison against Ahmad and compensation of 180,000 shekels. The sentence was reduced to nine and a half years in 2017.
Before his transfer to prison, the Israeli occupation authorities held Ahmad for two years in a special institution for juveniles under difficult and harsh conditions and later transferred him to "Megiddo" Prison when he was 14 years old.
