Garden of Knowledge Malta Association , the Samidoun organization and The maltese Communist Party held an event outside the law courts in Valletta, in solidarity with the Palestinian detainees held in the Israeli occupation jails claiming that a large number of women and children were held without court proceedings.
The groups said that Israel is ill-treating and abusing Palestinian detainees including women and children. "Most detainees, including children, report being beaten, kicked, threatened, having their property illegally searched and confiscated and their family home destroyed. Some also report the Israeli army's use of police dogs and sound bombs at arrest". They also argued that soldiers routinely fail to present arrest orders.
They argued that around 700 women and children are currently being detained, half of which are children.
David Pisani from the Communist Party argued that children are put into jail for simply throwing a stone at army personnel.
They claimed that treatment in private jails in Israel is appalling, and that even children are beaten in government jails.
30th May marks the action day in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners. Most children are in jail for campaigning against injustices Israel is committing on Palestine.
In 2012 the Guardian highlighted the mistreatment of Palestinian children at Al Jalame prison, where children would be locked in solitary confinement for weeks. "Most are accused of throwing stones at soldiers or settlers; some, of flinging molotov cocktails; a few, of more serious offences such as links to militant organisations or using weapons. They are also pumped for information about the activities and sympathies of their classmates, relatives and neighbours," the Guardian article read.
Asked if they are protesting the treatment in Israeli jails or protesting the fact that children are in jail in the first place, Mr Pisani explained that they were here in solidarity with those imprisoned.
For the event, the groups were handing out information about some of those in detention, as well as postcards where people are able to send letters of solidarity.
Photos by Mike Camilleri