Occupation denies temporary release of Palestinian female detainee to mourn father's death
February 9, 2025

Palestinian Prisoners’ Society (PPS) and Commission of Detainees' Affairs

Ramallah, Palestine - The father of Palestinian female political prisoner Shaden Qous has unexpectedly passed away in a tragic accident. Shaden, a Jerusalemite, has been held behind bars for just over a month, since 6/1/2025. She was first detained at The Russian Compound detention center (al-Mascobiyeh) where she was interrogated before being transferred to the Damon central women’s prison. She has not yet been charged with any kind of offense under Israel’s oppressive military court system, which is run by occupation soldiers. Shaden is a student at Birzeit University and a professional dancer.

The Israeli occupation has historically never allowed a Palestinian detainee to be released temporarily on compassionate grounds to attend a family member’s funeral, as a matter of policy. Israel uses its power to rid Palestinian prisoners of bidding their loved ones farewell as a form of psychological and emotional torture. Since the genocide in Gaza, dozens of Palestinian detainees - particularly those from Gaza - lost their family members in Israel’s onslaught, and were forbidden from seeing them for the last time.

Palestinian political prisoners must be afforded the human right to mourn the loss of their loved ones with their families. The current conditions for Palestinian prisoners are the worst in history. Dozens of detainees are being killed behind bars, many in obscure circumstances involving severe torture and ill-treatment. The more time passes with thousands of Palestinians in the custody of the occupation, the greater the risk to their lives and fates.