Press Releases

During the 54th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (11 September  - 13 October 2023), BADIL submitted a written statement, an oral statement, and an urgent petition under Item 3 to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. These interventions underscored the arbitrary nature of the ongoing detention of Palestinian prisoner Walid Daqqah, who continues to be held in Israeli prisons despite having completed his original sentence on 25 March 2023.

In its written statement, BADIL highlighted the ongoing colonial policies faced by Walid Daqqah, an intellectual and freedom fighter with Israeli citizenship, including arbitrary detention, medical neglect, and a series of discriminatory legal decisions that have perpetuated his imprisonment. The statement called upon the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention to address Walid's case urgently, demanding his immediate release. It also called on the Human Rights Council and member states to take swift action in securing Walid's freedom and holding Israel accountable for its policies of racial oppression through arbitrary detention.

Furthermore, BADIL called for the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry to investigate Israel's policy of arbitrary detention and medical neglect based on institutionalized discrimination against Palestinians on both sides of the Green Line. These actions collectively aimed to bring attention to Walid's case and shed light on the wider issue of arbitrary detention perpetuated by the Israeli colonial-apartheid regime.

In the oral statement, Mrs. Sana Salameh, Walid’s wife, testified about her husband’s dire situation and spoke on his behalf. Despite having completed his sentence, and petitioning for early release based on his deteriorating health and battle with a fatal cancer, Walid remains arbitrarily detained. Israel not only failed to provide him with timely and adequate medical care in prison but also repeatedly denied him early release. As of writing this press release, Walid is waiting for a court date from the Israeli High Court, the last avenue for domestic redress available to Walid.

Lastly, BADIL, on behalf of Walid Daqqah, submitted an urgent petition to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. This petition underscores the urgent need for the Working Group to address and deliberate upon the case of Walid Daqqah as an instance of arbitrary detention. BADIL called on the working group to quickly and decisively deliberate on Walid’s case and take steps to ensure his release.