PRESS RELEASE

A Member of the Palestinian Security Forces Shoots Child

 

Ref.,: 10/99

Date: 26^th January, 1999

At about 8pm on Sunday 24^th January, a member of the Palestinian security forces shot an 11-year-old child from Nuseirat refugee camp in the shoulder. Sami Abu Ibtihan was injured as he was on his way to a neighbour’s house, who works as a colonel in the organisation and administration branch of the security forces. The neighbour was joking with the child when he pulled out his pistol and fired a bullet accidentally, injuring the child. The neighbour took the child immediately to Shifa hospital, where he is still receiving medical treatment. A fieldworker from the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) visited the child in hospital, where hospital staff informed him that the child’s medical condition was stable and that he was recovering. PCHR was also informed that the man involved in the accident was arrested by Palestinian police but later released after mediation with the child’s family, who gave up all their rights.

PCHR expresses its concern about the repetition of such incidents as firing guns at civilians. On previous occasions, PCHR called for regulation of the use of weapons by law enforcement personnel, especially outside their formal working hours. Despite the fact that the most recent incident was accidental and the family gave up their rights, this should not exempt the perpetrator from being held accountable for his crime.

PCHR reiterates its demand that the PA should take effective measures to control features of militarisation such as the irresponsible use of weapons.

 

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