Ref: 52/2006

Date:  14 June 2006

Time: 12:15 GMT 

Two Palestinians Killed by National Security Forces

PCHR calls upon the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to investigate the deaths of two Palestinians by the Palestinian National Security Forces in Ramallah over the past ten days, in incidents which might have involved disproportionate use of force against civilians.

PCHR’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 21:30 on Tuesday, 13 June 2006, Palestinian National Security Forces erected a roadblock near Grand Park Hotel in The Maysoun area of Ramallah.  The operation’s aim was to apprehend Husam Ayyoub Abu Ateyya, a 27-year-old resident of El-Am’ari refugee camp, suspected of criminal activities.  When the suspect approached the roadblock, the security forces ordered him to stop.  He did not obey the order and tried to run over the soldiers with his car.  They fired at the car, killing Abu Ateyya with a bullet to the head.

A second Palestinian was killed in similar circumstances ten days ago in Ramallah.  At approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 4 June 2006, a joint patrol of Palestinian security services ordered Dawoud Suliman (25) to stop at a roadblock.  He was driving a stolen car.  Suliman did not obey the order.  The security forces pursued him in a car.  Near El-Biereh Tourist Hotel, the security forces fired at the suspect, hitting him with a bullet to the back.  He was taken to the Ramallah Governmental Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

PCHR reiterates its call to the PNA to:

– seriously investigate these two incidents and to make the investigation results public; and

– ensure that there are clear instructions regarding the use of firearms by law-enforcement personnel that conform with international standards and respect human rights.

-End-