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Peru's Palestinian communities are calling for the release of Ahed Tamimi, the 17-year-old Palestinian activist who has been languishing in prison since December alongside hundreds of other children arrested by Israeli authorities.
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"Human rights do not have borders, political banners or colors," said Omar Chehade, president of the Palestinian Federation of Peru.
Members of the eastern communities paraded through Peru's streets, demanding the children be released and that their human rights be observed.
Photos of Tamimi battling soldiers in Nabi Saleh have long been part of the pro-Palestinian movement. The Palestinian teen was charged in January with aggravated assault, obstructing the work of soldiers and incitement after video showing her slapping an Israeli soldier went viral.
The spike in arrests of Palestinian children has been addressed by a number of human rights groups. Currently, there are about 350 Palestinian children and adolescents in prison, Amnesty International Director Marina Navarro reports.
Other reports from the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and the Palestinian Human Rights Association say imprisoned youths are also subject to torture and threats by those supporting the Zionist movement.
Between 2015 and 2016, the percentage of minors in Israeli prisons jumped 10 percent, said Ayed Abu Eqtaish of the Defense for Children International Palestine.
Tamimi is a symbol of strength for her fellow Palestinians: "She's a perfect idol for all girls her age — nobody before has done something like that," high-school junior Amereh told News 4.
"If we weren't brave then the Israeli soldiers would think we're weak, think we will just give up. Everyone is afraid, but we will keep fighting because it is not easy to give up on your land, on your home."
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Tamimi’s father, Bassem Tamimi, said the events which sent his wife and daughter to prison could not have been avoided.
"In India they give a small amount of poison to every child born to protect him and defend him from the snakes... and we must train ourselves from the snakes in our life, the occupation," he said.
Ahed's trial is due to resume March 11, behind closed doors and closed to the media.
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