8 May 2003
Amnesty International today condemned the Israeli authorities’ decision requiring foreigners entering Gaza to sign “waivers” that absolve Israel from responsibility should they be killed or injured.
“The organization is categorically opposed to any attempt to get people to sign away their rights,” Amnesty International said. “The signing of ‘waivers’ does not absolve the Israeli army of its responsibility in any way, nor the Israeli authorities of their duties to ensure that armed forces respect human rights in all circumstances.”
The organization is concerned that one aim of these new and drastic restrictions is to prevent outside monitoring and scrutiny of the conduct of the Israeli army. It is also concerned that these restrictions will lead to more killings in Gaza and calls on the army to immediately end the use of excessive and unlawful force.
Amnesty International’s delegates were denied access to Gaza today. They were required to sign the “waivers” which they refused to do. The organization has repeatedly demanded that international human rights monitors be deployed in Israel and the Occupied Territories to ensure that international standards are abided by.
“We condemn all unlawful killings of civilians, including children, in Israel and the Occupied Territories, whether committed by members of the Israeli army or members of armed Palestinian groups,” Amnesty International said.
Background
The declaration to be signed states, among other things, that the individual “accept(s) that the government of the state of Israel and its organs cannot be held responsible for death, injury and/or damage/loss of property which may be incurred as a result of military activity”.
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