Joint appeal to denounce a series of violations of basic humanitarian laws and principles committed by the Israeli Army in Nablus
Press Release, Medecins du Monde, 28 August 2003
Medecins du Monde (MdM), Physicians for Human Rights-Israel (PHR-Israel) and the Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees (UPMRC) are joining their voice to denounce a series of violations of basic humanitarian laws and principles committed by the Israeli Army in Nablus. These violations are taking place in the overall context of massive military operations led by the Israeli army for more than a week. Among widespread violations of the international humanitarian law, we have noted the following:
On August 21, one clinic belonging to the UPMRC and Health Work Committees, in the old city of Nablus, was invaded by the army.
In the night of 25 to 26 August, Israeli military forces entered the emergency services of Rafidia hospital to arrest two seriously wounded patients, admitted in intensive care unit. The violent methods employed by the soldiers put the life of the two persons into real danger.
On August 26, Israeli soldiers forced their way into the MDM / Nablus municipality dispensary, occupied the medical facility, searched the medical files and damaged the premises. The occupation of this medical facility lasted more than one day and prevented the surrounding population to access basic health cares. The medical personnel have been several times denied in the right to access the dispensary and to provide medical assistance.
On 28 August, MDM witnessed denial by the Israeli soldiers to let UPMRC emergency team provide first aid to civilians retained by the soldiers in a building. Meanwhile, UPMRC staff trying to provide assistance to the Balata Camp population was prevented to enter. In addition, the soldiers confiscated and destroyed their ID cards.
In reaction to these persistent and repeated breaches of international humanitarian conventions, MDM, PHR-Israel and UPRMRC are demanding the Israeli authorities to stop violating basic humanitarian principles and to respect the fundamental rights for every patients to access health services and for medical personnel to move freely at any time.
For details please contact:
MdM, Blandine Contamin, 972 57 249 450
UPMRC, Mustafa Barghouthi, 972 59 254218
PHR-Israel, Miri Weingarten, 972-67-700477
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