Israel/Occupied Territories: Findings Of Amnesty

Israel/Occupied Territories: Findings Of Amnesty International's Delegation

* News Release Issued by the International Secretariat of Amnesty International *

19 October 2000 MDE 15/044/2000 201/00

"In policing the recent demonstrations, the Israeli security forces tended to use military methods rather than policing methods involving the protection of human lives," Amnesty International said.

In a report released today based on the findings of its delegation to Israel and the Occupied Territories, Amnesty International said "The impunity for those who commit human rights violations and the lack of investigations into so many deaths at the hands of security forces has led to a breakdown in the rule of law which has grave consequences for the region."

The delegation went to Israel and the Occupied Territories to investigate killings carried out by the Israeli security forces since 29 September.

"This report examines the unlawful use of potentially lethal force, as well as the impeding of medical access to the wounded," Dr Elizabeth Hodgkin, from the Middle East Program of Amnesty International and a member of the delegation, said.

The delegation to Israel also included Dr Stephen Males, a former senior UK police officer who has worked extensively in police training on sensitive dealing with public order, to research several incidents of killings and to make recommendations to the Israeli government.

In its efforts to uncover the truth behind all the recent events, Amnesty International will send another mission to Israel and the Occupied Territories, including areas under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority. The delegation will monitor and document the latest developments in the region and will depart this Friday.

The human rights organization reiterates its call for a United Nations investigation into the killings and other serious human rights abuses which have taken place in Israel and the Occupied Territories.

For more documentation visit Amnesty International's crisis alert page:

http://www.web.amnesty.org/ai.nsf/countries/israel/occupied+territories

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