Israel/OPT
23.05.00
Urgent Interventions
Israel/Palestine Autonomous Areas: two persons die following injuries in clashes with Israeli occupation forces
Palestine: two persons die following injuries in clashes with Israeli occupation forces
Case ISR 160500.1
Follow-up to Case ISR 160500
Geneva, 23rd May 2000
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Palestine Autonomous Areas.
New Information
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Palestinian Society for the Protection for Human Rights and the Environment (LAW), a member of the OMCT network, of the deaths of another two persons, including a child, from injuries sustained during clashes with Israeli occupation forces.
According to the information received, on 20th May 2000, Issa Abed, 30, from the Qadoura Refugee Camp died in Ramallah hospital after he had sustained head injuries from a live bullet fired during clashes with the occupying forces at a check point north of Ramallah.
Issa Abed was the fifth victim since the start of demonstrations by Palestinians to commemorate the 1948 Nakba day and peaceful marches in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners who have been on a hunger strike for the last few weeks.
The International Secretariat of OMCT reiterates LAW’s concerns that despite the loss of life, the Israeli occupation forces continue to use unacceptable excessive force against unarmed Palestinian citizens. Furthermore, that the Israeli occupation forces are using live ammunition and that most injuries sustained by Palestinians are in the chest, abdomen and neck areas. OMCT strongly condemns the excessive use of force by Israeli forces at peaceful demonstrations held by Palestinians.
Brief reminder of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT was informed by LAW of the killing of four persons and hundreds injured in various incidents and clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli occupying forces from 10th to 15th May.
According to LAW, on 13th May 2000, clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli occupying forces resulted in the death of Ahmad Shreim from Qalqilya. Clashes also took place in the Meggido prison and an estimated 100 prisoners were injured when Israeli soldiers stormed the prison and released gas canisters and sound bombs.
It is also reported that on 15th May 2000, Adel Asafadi, 19, from Orif village in the district of Nablus, died after being shot in the neck by Israeli soldiers who were firing live ammunition to dispel a crowd of demonstrators at the Palestinian checkpoint south of Nablus. The victim died on the way to hospital. Bashar Shantir, 18, from Askar Refugee Camp, was also shot in the vicinity of Joseph's tomb in Nablus. Ahmad Odeh, 20, from Deir Al Hatab near Nablus, a member of the National Forces, was shot dead in the Al Bireh vicinity.
It is estimated that 862 Palestinians were injured in the period 10-14 May 2000.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Israel urging them to:
intervene with the appropriate authorities in order to secure that the adequate medical assistance is provided to all those injured in the clashes;
put an end to the unacceptable use of excessive force by the Israeli armed forces against peaceful demonstrators and guarantee an immediate investigation into the death of Issa Abed, and the injuries of the above-mentioned incidents, identify those responsible, bring them before a civil competent and impartial tribunal and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;
guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
Addresses
Ehud Barak, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Office of the Prime Minister, 3 Kaplan Street Hakirya, Jerusalem 91007, Israel, Faxes: +972 2 566 4838 and +972 3 691 7915
Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, 29 Salah al-Din Street, Jerusalem 91029, State of Israel. Fax : + 972 2 6285 438
Minister of Defense, Ministry of Defense, 7 "A" Street, Hakirya, Tel Aviv, Israel. Fax: +972 3 697 62 18.
Minister of Police, Ministry of Police, PO Box 18182, 3 Sheikh Jarrah, Kiryat Hamemshala, Jerusalem 91181, State of Israel. Fax : + 972 2 5826 769.
The Embassy of Israel in your respective countries.
Geneva, May 23, 2000
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.
Case ISR 160500.1
Follow-up to Case ISR 160500
Geneva, 23rd May 2000
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Palestine Autonomous Areas.
New Information
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Palestinian Society for the Protection for Human Rights and the Environment (LAW), a member of the OMCT network, of the deaths of another two persons, including a child, from injuries sustained during clashes with Israeli occupation forces.
According to the information received, on 20th May 2000, Issa Abed, 30, from the Qadoura Refugee Camp died in Ramallah hospital after he had sustained head injuries from a live bullet fired during clashes with the occupying forces at a check point north of Ramallah.
Issa Abed was the fifth victim since the start of demonstrations by Palestinians to commemorate the 1948 Nakba day and peaceful marches in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners who have been on a hunger strike for the last few weeks.
The International Secretariat of OMCT reiterates LAW’s concerns that despite the loss of life, the Israeli occupation forces continue to use unacceptable excessive force against unarmed Palestinian citizens. Furthermore, that the Israeli occupation forces are using live ammunition and that most injuries sustained by Palestinians are in the chest, abdomen and neck areas. OMCT strongly condemns the excessive use of force by Israeli forces at peaceful demonstrations held by Palestinians.
Brief reminder of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT was informed by LAW of the killing of four persons and hundreds injured in various incidents and clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli occupying forces from 10th to 15th May.
According to LAW, on 13th May 2000, clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli occupying forces resulted in the death of Ahmad Shreim from Qalqilya. Clashes also took place in the Meggido prison and an estimated 100 prisoners were injured when Israeli soldiers stormed the prison and released gas canisters and sound bombs.
It is also reported that on 15th May 2000, Adel Asafadi, 19, from Orif village in the district of Nablus, died after being shot in the neck by Israeli soldiers who were firing live ammunition to dispel a crowd of demonstrators at the Palestinian checkpoint south of Nablus. The victim died on the way to hospital. Bashar Shantir, 18, from Askar Refugee Camp, was also shot in the vicinity of Joseph's tomb in Nablus. Ahmad Odeh, 20, from Deir Al Hatab near Nablus, a member of the National Forces, was shot dead in the Al Bireh vicinity.
It is estimated that 862 Palestinians were injured in the period 10-14 May 2000.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Israel urging them to:
intervene with the appropriate authorities in order to secure that the adequate medical assistance is provided to all those injured in the clashes;
put an end to the unacceptable use of excessive force by the Israeli armed forces against peaceful demonstrators and guarantee an immediate investigation into the death of Issa Abed, and the injuries of the above-mentioned incidents, identify those responsible, bring them before a civil competent and impartial tribunal and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided by law;
guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
Addresses
Ehud Barak, Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Office of the Prime Minister, 3 Kaplan Street Hakirya, Jerusalem 91007, Israel, Faxes: +972 2 566 4838 and +972 3 691 7915
Minister of Justice, Ministry of Justice, 29 Salah al-Din Street, Jerusalem 91029, State of Israel. Fax : + 972 2 6285 438
Minister of Defense, Ministry of Defense, 7 "A" Street, Hakirya, Tel Aviv, Israel. Fax: +972 3 697 62 18.
Minister of Police, Ministry of Police, PO Box 18182, 3 Sheikh Jarrah, Kiryat Hamemshala, Jerusalem 91181, State of Israel. Fax : + 972 2 5826 769.
The Embassy of Israel in your respective countries.
Geneva, May 23, 2000
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.