UN calls for investigation into death of Palestinian under Israeli detention

USPA News - The United Nations (UN) official on Tuesday called for an investigation into the death of a Palestinian under Israeli detention. Arafat Jaradat, who was arrested on February 18, died on Saturday, according to a statement released by the office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry.

In the statement, Serry said Israeli and Palestinian experts conducted an autopsy on Jaradat`s body, as the UN expects it to be followed by an independent and transparent investigation into the incident. The results should be made public as soon as possible, Serry added. Serry and Deputy Special Coordinator James W. Rawley met with with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Palestinian Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat on Monday to discuss the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli. Both Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay have spoken out in recent days about Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody, particularly following reports of the fast deteriorating health conditions of several who have been on hunger strike. "The United Nations remains concerned about the deteriorating health of Palestinian detainees on hunger strike, and reiterates that those held in administrative detention without charge should be charged and face trial with judicial guarantees in accordance with international standards, or promptly released," said today`s statement. It added that the UN is closely monitoring the situation on the ground "where mounting tensions present a real risk of destabilization."