In a press statement issued 27 February, members of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) of the United Nations Security Council expressed their “grave concern” over the death of Palestinian detainee Arafat Jaradat, and called for a thorough investigation into his death.

Jaradat was arrested on 18 February, and died on 22 February as a result of severe torture in Israeli custody.

Pakistan’s U.N. Ambassador Masood Khan said on behalf of the 15-member NAM, “While taking note of the preliminary findings of the autopsy, we call for an independent and impartial investigation into this tragic incident.”

The statement also called for full respect of international human rights and humanitarian law obligations towards all Palestinian prisoners and detainees being held by Israel.

“In this connection, we also stress the obligations towards those being held by Israel in administrative detention, including several Palestinians on hunger strike, whose deteriorating health condition is putting their lives in imminent danger, thus requiring an urgent humane solution to their plight," added Khan.

The United States objected to their call for the UN Security Council to adopt a clear statement on Palestinian detainees' rights.