BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 6. A United Nations human rights body has called for the immediate release of Gaza physician Dr Hussam Abu Safiya, describing his detention by Israel as arbitrary and raising concerns over his safety.
In its findings, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention stated that Israel's detention of Dr Abu Safiya violated multiple provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The working group said the appropriate remedy would be the doctor's immediate release, along with an enforceable right to compensation and other forms of reparation in accordance with international law.
The UN body also expressed concern that the case could reflect a broader pattern of arbitrary detention, noting that it was one of several similar cases brought to its attention. Meanwhile, the Israel Prison Service rejected allegations that Dr Abu Safiya and other detained doctors had been subjected to mistreatment, despite claims presented by rights organisations and his legal representatives.
