“More than 8,500 Palestinians have been arrested between 27 February and 20 May, many of them arbitrarily detained. These arrests and detentions were accompanied by a consistent pattern of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment and sometimes torture,” Amnesty International said in a report released today. Read more about Amnesty International calls for a commission of inquiry into mass arbitrary detention of Palestinians
Amnesty International is extremely dismayed at the decision by the Court of Appeal of Brussels that declared a complaint concerning the “Sharon” case inadmissible. Read more about Israel/Belgium: Dismay at Sharon case decision
As Israel reoccupies villages and towns in the West Bank the Palestinian population suffers the effects of widespread security measures such as prolonged curfews, house demolitions or administrative detention that amount to collective punishment, said Amnesty International today. Read more about Palestinians suffer renewed collective punishment
The UN Secretary-General’s report released today, which is consistent with many of Amnesty International’s findings, underscores the need for a thorough, on-the-spot investigative inquiry into the reports of grave human rights abuses that occurred in the context of the Israeli army incursions into Jenin and other cities last April. Read more about UN Secretary-General's report on Jenin underscores the need for a full inquiry
Early this morning Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have arrested 21 male relatives of Palestinians suspected of having been involved in recent attacks against Israelis. The IDF threatens to transfer them from the West Bank to Gaza. “The forcible transfer of these people under these circumstances is collective punishment,” Amnesty International said. “We call on the Israeli government not to carry out such measures.” Read more about Forcibly transferring relatives of suspected Palestinian suicide bombers would violate international law
Amnesty International condemns the air strike of the Israeli Defence Forces last night in Gaza reportedly killing at least 15 people, including nine children, and wounding more than 80 others, many seriously. “This attack was disproportionate and is utterly unacceptable”, Amnesty International said. Read more about Killing Palestinian civilians will not bring security or peace
One month after Israel reoccupied villages and towns in the West Bank more than 800,000 Palestinians still suffer the effects of prolonged curfews and closures. Israeli soldiers continue to carry out unlawful killings of Palestinians with impunity. Hundreds of Palestinians remain in detention, including in administrative detention without charge or trial, and destruction or damage to homes and property continues. Read more about End collective punishment of Palestinians in Occupied Territories
