Palestinian organisations call for action against G4S over role in Israeli jails

As political prisoners begun a mass hunger strike and Prisoners Day was marked with demonstrations in Palestine and around the world, Palestinian organisations today called for action to be taken against G4S, the British-Danish security corporation that is contracted to provide security equipment to Israeli prisons at which Palestinian political prisoners are held.

A statement signed by 12 Palestinian organisations including Addameer, DCI Palestine and the Palestinian BDS National Committee said:

G4S is the British-Danish security company whose Israeli subsidiary signed a contract in 2007 with the Israeli Prison Authority to provide security systems for major Israeli prisons. G4S provided systems for the Ketziot and Megiddo prisons, which hold Palestinian political prisoners from occupied Palestinian territory inside Israel in contravention of international law. The company also provided equipment for Ofer prison, located in the occupied West Bank, and for Kishon and Moskobiyyeh detention facilities, at which human rights organisations have documented systematic torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian prisoners, including child prisoners. G4S continues to provide equipment to Israeli prisons.

In light of the increasing campaign of civil disobedience from within the prisons, we demand accountability for all corporations that both enable and directly profit from Israel’s continued violations of Palestinian prisoners’ rights being committed with impunity.

Amid hunger strikes and the highly publicized prisoner exchange deal in October, Palestinian prisoners’ issues have gained recent attention in international spheres. However, despite this increased focus and the criticisms of these practices by United Nations bodies, there has been no institutional changes made by Israel in regard to the human rights violations being committed against Palestinian political prisoners and detainees. In an attempt to counter Israel’s unwillingness to change its policies and the lack of accountability for its countless human rights violations, alternative measures such as preventing participation by companies such as the G4S proves to be one of the few remaining effective steps towards pressuring Israel to comply with international law. It is time overdue to break this chain of international complicity.

The statement also welcomed the news that the European Union has decided not to renew a contract with G4S following a campaign by members of the European Parliament and Palestine solidarity organisations that counted former EU Parliament President Jerzy Buzek among its supporters. G4S had provided security services to the European Parliament buildings since 2008.

Activists and local politicians in Malmo in Sweden and Copenhagen in Denmark are currently working to pressure local authorities not to renew lucrative contracts with the company, and similar campaigns are being planned elsewhere in Europe. In October 2011, the Edinburgh University Student Association (EUSA) passed a motion blocking its contract with G4S.

As well as for its support for Israeli Apartheid, G4S has also come under fire from campaign groups for its abuse of workers rights in countries across the world and its controversial role in the UK asylum and deportation system. Refused Angolan asylum seeker Jimmy Mubenga died after being “restrained” by G4S guards during a deportation flight in October 2010. Palestine solidarity activists subsequently joined members of the Justice for Jimmy Mubenga campaign outside a G4S shareholders’ meeting in London.

Comments

G4S work in U.S.?

Permalink David L. Mandel replied on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 01:07

Ali or anyone: Do you know if this company has contracts in the U.S.? If so, it would be a good target to work on here.

Palestinian prisoners and G4S

Permalink Elizabeh Morley replied on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 03:23

While G4S remains complicit in Israel's detention of Palestinian political prisoners it should be given no more contracts anywhere else.

Same company is also

Permalink Muzna replied on Thu, 04/19/2012 - 08:50

Same company is also responsible for security of Baghadad's international airport - they also have projects all over the world, check their website http://www.g4s.com/en/Who%20we...

where are palestinian prisoners?

Permalink William replied on Mon, 04/30/2012 - 04:31

Is there a place where we can see the names of all Palestinian prisoners along with the names and contact information for all prisons. I don't know the names of the prisons themselves but think it would be helpful if we could have the contact info so we can write to prisons and let them know that we know who's there and that we care. Maybe we can start Facebook pages with the names of prisons

G4S contracts in the US

Permalink Adri replied on Tue, 05/01/2012 - 10:48

David, indeed G4S has contracts in the US. Learn more about G4S activities in the US: http://www.g4s.us/En-US/
Please keep us posted about your activism.

G4S in Libya

Permalink John Veritas replied on Thu, 05/03/2012 - 11:27

To add to your article are you aware that G4S is now starting a new contract for the European Union in Libya, what a shame! Maybe we have a chance to stop them since they are suppose to start next month. The EU should have never choose them, actually they are using the EU to enter Libya......wonder if G4S has worked with Ghadafi before?? Anyways it is written in the libyan law that no company which has representation in the occupied territories can work in Libya!!!!!

Re G4S in Libya

Permalink Michael D replied on Fri, 05/04/2012 - 16:55

Hi John,

That all sounds really interesting. Would you be able to pass on some links and more information about the EU contracts you mentioned? You can send a mail to info at bdsmovement dot net if that is easier.

thanks
michael