Palestine: Is hunger striking an effective protest?
Journalist Mohammed al-Qeeq, detained in Israel without charge or trial, is on his 82nd day of hunger strike.
Mohammed al-Qeeq has been held under Israel’s controversial “administrative detention” law which allows the state to hold individuals indefinitely, for security reasons.
He’s been refusing food since November 25 in protest against his detention.
The journalist, who works for the TV station Al Majd, is accused of being a Hamas activist, but no charges have ever been presented.
On February 4, Israel’s Supreme Court lifted his administrative detention order, but ruled that he may not leave hospital.
He has refused to end his fast, saying he is determined to continue until he is released unconditionally.
Is the practice of hunger striking an effective method of protest? What are the legal responsibilities of the authorities? And at what point is force-feeding considered a life-saving measure, and not a form of torture?
Presenter: Mike Hanna
Guests:
Michael Barilan – Professor of bioethics, Tel Aviv University.
Laith Abu Zeyad – Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association.
Mazen Masri – Law lecturer, City University, London.