Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2013-10-29
Anti-apartheid activist, Ahmed Kathrada on Sunday (29TH October) signed a declaration on Robben Island, calling for the release of imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouthi and all other Palestinian political prisoners.
The event marked the official launch of the International Campaign for the Freedom of Marwan Barghouthi and all Palestinian Political Prisoners.
Other signatories include Barghouthi's wife, Fadwa, and former Robben Island prisoner Simon Mkalipi.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu also threw his support behind the campaign.
"I am proud to associate myself with the global campaign for the freedom of Marwan Barghouthi and other Palestinian political prisoners," Tutu said in a statement.
"I congratulate Mr Ahmed Kathrada, who spent 27 years of his life as a political prisoner in South Africa, for personally leading this initiative."
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry's Majed Bamya says, “We are facing a country that has always been above the law and has always acted as an outlaw state. It’s time to end this impunity and to impose some accountability. We have, in this campaign, huge political and moral weight.”
54 year old Marwan Barghouthi is known as the ‘Palestinian Mandela' has been in an Israeli jail since 2002 where he is serving five life sentences for his role in the fight for liberation in Palestine.
Almost 750 000 Palestinians (or roughly 20% of the total Palestinian population and 40% of the male population) have been imprisoned by Israel at one point in time.
Over 5000 Palestinians are currently detained by Israel; 13 of them women, 195 of them children, and 134 of them held under "administrative detention".
Similar to the experience of Black families under Apartheid, almost every Palestinian family has been affected by the Israeli imprisonment of a relative.
‘A Free Marwan Barghouthi and all Palestinian Political Prisoners’ rally will be taking place on the 31st October at (19h30) at the Baitun Noor Centre, Topas Street in Lenasia.
The guest speaker will be Mrs. Fadwa Barghouthi
(Twitter: @Faizie143 )
0 Comments