Amnesty International has expressed relief over the release of Ahmad Manasra, a Palestinian detainee, calling it “long overdue” after he spent over nine years in an Israeli prison. Manasra had been detained on allegations of participating in the stabbing of two Israeli settlers back in 2015, allegations that have been contested throughout his detention period. The full text of Amnesty’s response can be viewed here.
Amnesty emphasized that this case demonstrates significant miscarriages of justice and violations of human rights. Heba Morayef, the organization’s Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa, criticised the Israeli parole committee for using the nation’s Counter-Terrorism Law to block Manasra’s early release, even as his mental health conditions worsened during nearly two years in solitary confinement.
Early in his detention at Eshel Prison, Manasra reported experiencing physical and psychological torture, including verbal abuse and restraint to a hospital bed. These claims were corroborated by a sworn affidavit detailing his treatment by Israeli guards, among other abuses.
Ahmad Manasra’s arrest at the age of 13 followed an incident involving his cousin, who had attacked two settlers and was subsequently shot dead. Manasra, who was injured in the incident, was arrested and interrogated without legal representation or adult oversight, contravening the United Nations rules for the Protection of Juveniles Deprived of their Liberty.
The UN had previously urged Israel to release Manasra, highlighting potential torture impacts and a diagnosis of schizophrenia attributed to his harsh treatment. The prolonged solitary confinement experienced by Manasra contravenes international standards set by the Nelson Mandela Rules, which prohibit solitary confinement lasting over 15 days.
Amnesty considers Ahmad Manasra’s case emblematic of broader abuses faced by Palestinian children in Israeli detention, an issue that gained prominence following the case of a 17-year-old Palestinian who died in custody due to neglect. Further details about the circumstances surrounding Manasra’s arrest and detention can be found here.