The Palestinian Center for Prisoners Advocacy said Sunday that Israeli prison authorities have escalated measures inside detention facilities with the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, directly affecting prisoners’ religious and humanitarian rights.
The center said it received information that the administration at Ofer Prison is refusing to inform inmates of the times for the dawn and sunset calls to prayer, preventing them from knowing when to begin and break their daily fast. The move is a clear violation of freedom of worship and a direct infringement on prisoners’ right to observe fasting according to prescribed religious times.
According to the center, prison authorities are also deliberately providing meals that are insufficient in quantity and do not meet minimum nutritional needs during fasting hours. The meals are often described as stale, low quality and not compliant with basic health and dietary standards observed during Ramadan, warning that such conditions expose prisoners to exhaustion and malnutrition and compound their suffering.
The center said withholding information about prayer times cannot be justified on administrative or security grounds, arguing that announcing religious times does not pose a threat and constitutes a legal and moral obligation under international laws and conventions that guarantee freedom of worship and respect for human dignity.
The organization held Israeli authorities fully responsible for what it called the violations and demanded their immediate cessation. It also called for ensuring that prisoners are able to practice their religious rites without restrictions, particularly during Ramadan.
The center urged international and human rights organizations to intervene urgently, monitor developments and press Israeli authorities to respect the religious and humanitarian rights of prisoners in detention facilities.
