A/HRC/15/51 restrictions on freedom of movement to and from Gaza.21 Palestinian human rights defenders continue to face difficulties travelling between the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the outside world due to the travel bans imposed by Israel.22 38. In paragraph 1972 (e) of its report, the Mission recommended that Israel should release Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons in connection with the occupation. The release of children should be an utmost priority. The Mission also recommended that Israel should cease the discriminatory treatment of Palestinian detainees, and that family visits for prisoners from Gaza should resume. 39. The number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons has decreased. As at the end of June 2010, more than 6,200 Palestinians remained in Israeli prisons, including nearly 300 children.23 The number of Palestinians held in administrative detention had also decreased. Nonetheless, more than 200 people, including two children, remained in administrative detention.24 The recent decline has been attributed to various factors, including a drop in violence.25 Family visits for prisoners from Gaza continue to be banned by Israeli authorities. 40. In paragraph 1972 (f) of its report, the Mission recommended that Israel should forthwith cease interference with national political processes in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and as a first step release all members of the Palestinian Legislative Council currently in detention and allow all members of the Council to move between Gaza and the West Bank so that it may resume functioning. 41. Four members of the Palestinian Legislative Council who had been in Israeli detention since 2006 were released in May and early June 2010. In June 2010, the members, all elected on the Change and Reform political party list in 2006 and permanent residents of Jerusalem, had their residency permits revoked by the Government of Israel and were ordered to leave East Jerusalem. A petition was filed at the Israeli High Court on 15 June 2010 to contest the revocation of the permits. The High Court is due to hear the merits of the case on 6 September 2010.26 At present, 12 Council members remain in Israeli detention.27 42. In paragraph 1972 (g) of its report, the Mission recommended that the Government of Israel should cease actions aimed at limiting the expression of criticism by civil society and members of the public concerning the policies and conduct of Israel during the military operations in the Gaza Strip. The Mission also recommended that Israel should set up an independent inquiry to assess whether the treatment by Israeli judicial authorities of Palestinian and Jewish Israelis expressing dissent in connection with the offensive was discriminatory, in terms of both charges and detention pending trial. The results of the 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 10 “Israel announces: no easing for travel of people into and out of Gaza”, Gisha press release, 8 July 2010. See Al-Haq Alternative report to the Human Rights Committee on the occasion of Israel’s third periodic report; Israel’s violations of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights with respect to the freedom of movement, June 2010. B’Tselem, Statistics at 30 June 2010, available at www.btselem.org/english/statistics/Detainees_and_Prisoners.asp. See also Defence for Children International/Palestine Section, statistics as of 22 June 2010, available at http://dcipal.org/english/Display.cfm?DocId=902&CategoryId=11. Ibid. See Annual Human Rights Review, B’Tselem, 1 January 2009 to 30 April 2010, p. 43. See statement by Richard Miron, Spokesperson for the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, Jerusalem, 1 July 2010. Quarterly update on Palestinian Prisoners, Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, 19 July 2010.