The Legal Committee of the Union of Palestinian Communities and Institutions – Europe is following with grave concern the serious deterioration in the health conditions of Palestinian detainees in European prisons, amid the continued medical neglect and violations affecting the most basic human rights guaranteed under international law.
At the forefront of these cases is that of Palestinian detainee Riyad Al-Bustanji (60 years old), currently held in Rossano Prison in Italy. Al-Bustanji suffers from diabetes and several other chronic illnesses, in addition to a severe deterioration in his eyesight that threatens blindness in one eye as a result of delays in providing the necessary treatment and medical care.
The Legal Committee, together with other Organizations in Italy, organized a visit to Rossano Prison to review the conditions of Al-Bustanji’s detention. The visit included members of the European Parliament and local representatives, most recently European Parliament member Mimmo Lucano, who witnessed the deterioration of Al-Bustanji’s health condition and the poor humanitarian conditions inside the prison.
The Committee also expresses its deep concern regarding the case of Palestinian detainee Mahmoud Al-Adra (71 years old), detained in France, who has been suffering from colon cancer for several years, in addition to chronic heart and neurological diseases. His condition is therefore extremely critical and requires permanent specialized medical care.
On 16 April 2026, the Palestinian Authority transferred and handed over Al-Adra from Alia Hospital in Hebron to the French authorities, despite the seriousness of his health condition and in the absence of a Palestinian judicial decision.
The continued detention of prisoners suffering from serious illnesses, while being systematically deprived of necessary medical care, constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights conventions. It amounts to torture and deliberate medical negligence that directly threatens their lives.
The Union of Palestinian Communities in Europe holds the French and Italian authorities fully responsible for any further deterioration affecting the lives and safety of the detainees. Accordingly, the Legal Committee of the Union of Palestinian Communities in Europe calls for the following:
•Immediate and urgent medical intervention to ensure full treatment and healthcare for Palestinian detainees.
•Allowing human rights organizations to visit the detainees and monitor their health conditions.
•Calling on the judicial authorities in Italy and France to review these cases and ensure respect for humanitarian and legal standards.
•Intensifying legal and media efforts in support of the rights of Palestinian detainees and their right to treatment and humane care.
Legal Committee
Union of Palestinian Communities and Institutions – Europe
10 May 2026
