Press Release
An international committee of human rights organizations concludes its work in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
Ref: 120/2000
Date: October 7, 2000
Today afternoon, a special committee, formed by international human rights organizations to investigate the Israeli Occupation Forces’ aggressions against Palestinian civilians during current clashes, concluded its field mission in the Occupied Palestinian Authority. It is expected that the committee will issue results of its investigation during the little coming days. It is worth mentioning that the committee was formed upon a request by LAW (the Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and Environment) and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights. The mission was composed of experts from three international bodies, which represented more than 250 human rights organizations world-wide. These bodies are:
The Federation is based in Paris and embodies 108 member human rights organizations world-wide, including PCHR in Gaza and LAW in Jerusalem.
The Commission is based in Geneva and embodies 92 affiliate human rights organizations world-wide, including PCHR, LAW and Al-Haq.
The Network is based in Kubenhagen, and embodies 57 member human rights organizations world-wide , including PCHR and LAW.
The mission started work in the West Bank, and in the Palestinian cities and villages inside the Green Line on October 5, 2000. In the Gaza Strip, members of the mission met last night with Palestinian Minister of Health Dr. Riadh Al-Za’noon who detailed them about the outcome of the Israeli Occupation Forces’ shooting at Palestinian civilians, including the number of martyrs and categories of those who were injured. He informed the mission of shooting at children and medical staffs. The mission visited Shifa’ Hospital where they met with physicians and injured people at the hospital’s departments. They could see the horribleness of the crimes committed by the Israeli Occupation Forces against Palestinian civilians.
Today morning, the mission was briefed on the Israeli Occupation Forces’ crimes against Palestinian civilians by Lawyer Raji Sourani, Director of PCHR. The mission was provided with documents, photos and data on the current incidents. The mission also went to the area of Netzarim Junction, which witnessed the bloodiest clashes in the Gaza Strip, and Al-Tuffah Roadblock in Khan Younis. At the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society in the Gaza Strip, the mission met with Dr. Haidar Abdel Shafi and representatives of political factions, Palestinian human rights organizations and NGO’s. There, the mission listened to valued interpositions on the current situation and the responsibility of the Israeli government and Occupation Forces for its escalation.
The mission concluded its work with a meeting with Palestinian Minister of Justice Fureih Abu Meddain at PCHR’s headquarters. Abu Meddain explained the current situation and the Israeli Occupation Forces’ aggressions against Palestinian civilians.
It is worth mentioning that the mission does not constitute an alternative to an official international investigation committee under the auspices of the UN, demanded by Palestinian human rights organizations and Palestinian leadership. However, it reflects unofficial and popular efforts, which condemned the Israeli Occupation Forces’ aggressions. It is expected that the mission’s report will attract far-reaching attention on both the international public opinion and governments levels.
PCHR expresses its deep gratification to the response of main human rights bodies in the world, which was reflected in forming a committee to investigate the Israeli Occupation Forces’ aggressions against Palestinian civilians. PCHR further requests parallel steps by governments including forming an international committee under the auspices of the UN to investigate recent incidents in the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
“End”
Trial Version
