Ref: 46/2008

Date: 19 May 2008

Time: 12:30 GMT 

Man Killed by Palestinian Police in Rafah

PCHR calls upon the dismissed Palestinian government in Gaza to immediately investigate the killing of a man by the police in Rafah. PCHR is concerned that excessive force may have been used by law enforcement officials.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 17:30 on Sunday,18 May 2008, the body of ‘Abdul Hadi Shatti al-Soufi, 38, from Rafah, was brought to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah. According to medical sources at the hospital, Abdul al-Soufi had been shot. His body was transferred to the forensic medicine department at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, to ascertain the cause of death, as instructed by the Attorney General’s office.

Commenting on the incident, the Gaza city police spokesman, Islam Shahwan, stated on the police official web site that the police, warranted by the Attorney General’s office, had raided a drug dealers gathering, confiscated large amounts of drugs, and some weapons, and arrested ‘Abdul Hadi al-Soufi, although the other men had fled the scene. Whilst

being interrogated by the police, Shahwan added, al-Soufi directed police to the location of the other suspects. However, according to Shahwan, as al-Soufi accompanied the police to the location of the suspects, he attempted to escape, and police officers chased him, fired warning bullets into the air, and when he did not stop, they shot athim. Al-Soufi was shot and wounded. He was evacuated to Abu Yousef al-Najjar Hospital, where he died of his injury.  

PCHR reiterates its call for the dismissed Palestinian government in Gaza:

1)      To seriously investigate this incident and the circumstances of the killing of Abdul al-Soufi, and publicly declare the results of investigation

2)      To ensure the presence of clear instructions regulating the use of firearms by law enforcement officials, which conform to international standards and ensure respect for human rights.