Human Rights

Weekly report on human rights violations

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 27 February 2003

This week, Israeli forces killed twenty Palestinians, mostly civilians, including eight children, a woman and an old man. Israeli forces conducted a series of incursions into Palestinian areas, accompanied by indiscriminate shelling. They continued to use Palestinian civilians as human shields. Israeli forces continued destroying homes and property and arrested a number of Palestinians. The siege has not been lifted. 

Immediate threat of 'transfer' of Daba'a due to Israel's apartheid wall

The Palestinian Environment NGO Network (PENGON) 24 February 2003

The Daba’a Municipality has yesterday for the first time
this week been able to access village lands near the village residential area, where they found some 250 explosives, placed some 3 meters deep, that will be used to clear the rocky landscape in the area to make way for Israel’s apartheid wall. The explosives are located an average of 50 meters away from the village’s residential area, and whose blasts will cause the complete damage of a number of homes and partial damage to others, says the Palestinian environmental network PENGON. 

Israel commences plans and war crimes prior to expected war on Iraq

Al Mezan Center For Human Rights and Al-Haq 24 February 2003

Israel’s acts during the last 55 days constitute alarming indications of the possible situation should a war with Iraq be initiated in the region, warn human rights organizations Al Mezan and Al-Haq.  There is fear that the OPT may witness an unprecedented increase in human rights violations. 

Angry Bedouin find loyalty to Israel goes unrewarded

Conal Urquhart 22 February 2003

“Bassim Jrafat, an imam in Zarzir, said 60 per cent of the town’s residents no longer agreed with serving in the IDF. He feels it is wrong for Bedouin to serve in the Israeli army and was dismissed by the Ministry of Religion when he refused to lead prayers at the funeral of a Bedouin soldier.” The Observer’s Conal Urquhart reports from the Negev on rising Bedouin dissatisfaction with their role and status in Israeli society. 

Weekly report on human rights violations

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 20 February 2003

In the past two weeks, Israeli occupying forces have escalated their illegal military actions against Palestinian civilians and property, using various kinds of weapons.  The Israeli military perpetrated more illegal actions and human rights violations against Palestinian civilians, including willful killings, shelling of and incursions into Palestinian areas, house demolitions, and agricultural land leveling.  In the past two weeks, 32 Palestinians, mostly civilians, including 6 children and a woman, were killed by Israeli forces, and 6 others were killed in a mysterious explosion which the Israeli army is suspected of being involved in. 

Israel seeks to counter Belgian war crimes ruling

Marc Perelman 19 February 2003

“Israel is seeking to mobilize American and Jewish support for a diplomatic battle with Belgium after the Belgian Supreme Court upheld a law that would allow the prosecution of Israeli officials — including, eventually, Prime Minister Sharon — for war crimes related to their role in the Sabra and Shatila massacre two decades ago.” The Forward’s Marc Perelman provides a thorough overview of the judicial, political, and diplomatic repercussions of a landmark ruling by the Belgian Supreme Court last week. 

Israeli raid kills 11 Palestinians, dozens wounded

Palestinian Center for Human Rights 19 February 2003

Israeli occupying forces last night killed 11 Palestinians, including two brothers and their cousin whose bodies were removed from the ruins of a house. In addition, 5 civilian facilities were destroyed and raided and a school was damaged, when the Israeli forces, reinforced with heavy military vehicles and helicopters and covered by intense shelling, invaded areas of Gaza City. 15 Palestinians, including a physician, were injured by Israeli shelling. 

Sharon Trial: 12 February 2003 decision of Belgian Supreme Court explained

International Campaign for Justice for the Victims of Sabra and Shatila 19 February 2003

The following background to the Belgian Supreme Court’s landmark decision explains the 12 February 2003 ruling. The Court drew a clear distinction, however, between Ariel Sharon and the rest of the accused. For the former, being Prime Minister of Israel, enjoys procedural immunity from prosecution under international customary law so long as he holds that position. The others accused do not, however, enjoy immunity, and their trial can go forward. Prepared by the legal team for the survivors and Laurie King-Irani. 

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