'Profile: Child Detainee ReportTo mark the occasion of Palestinian Prisoner’s Day on 17 April, DCI/PS will be launching its report on Palestinian Child Prisoners held in Israeli detention. The report focuses on 2007 figures and trends, and will be available both online and in hard copy from 17 April 2008.
In 2007, some 700 Palestinian children (under 18) were arrested by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. Of these, around 30 children were held in administrative detention – imprisonment without charge or trial. As in previous years the overwhelming majority of those arrested were boys (98.9%). Of the three girls imprisoned during the course of the year, one was subsequently released in February 2008, but another girl was arrested in the same month. Therefore, the number of girls currently detained by Israel remains three.
At any given point during 2007, there were 310-416 Palestinian children held in Israeli prisons and detention centres in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territory. These figures are similar to those for 2006 (340-420). As of 31 March, there were 324 Palestinian children held in Israeli prisons and detention/interrogation centres, and 13 held under administrative detention orders (10 more than at the end of February).
The number of children arrested in 2007 and the first three months of 2008, brings the total number of Palestinian children arrested by Israeli forces since the beginning of the second Intifada (September 2000) to over 6,000.
Palestinian child prisoners routinely face violations of their human rights during arrest, interrogation and imprisonment. They are exposed to physical and psychological abuse, amounting to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and sometimes torture. The vast majority of them are denied prompt access to a lawyer and often denied contact with their families and the outside world.
Children in detention routinely face substandard, often inhumane conditions of detention and are frequently denied access to adequate medical care and suitable education services.
Recommendations
1. Israel should immediately raise the age of adulthood contained in the Military Courts from 16 to 18, as is the case under Israeli domestic legislation.
2. Israel should immediately ensure its compliance with the UN Convention against Torture and thoroughly investigate all allegations of abuse of Palestinian detainees and bring those responsible for such abuse to justice.
Addameer, DCI/PS and Health Work Committees will hold a press conference in Ramallah for Palestinian Prisoners Day.'
At any given point during 2007, there were 310-416 Palestinian children held in Israeli prisons and detention centres in Israel and the occupied Palestinian Territory. These figures are similar to those for 2006 (340-420). As of 31 March, there were 324 Palestinian children held in Israeli prisons and detention/interrogation centres, and 13 held under administrative detention orders (10 more than at the end of February).
The number of children arrested in 2007 and the first three months of 2008, brings the total number of Palestinian children arrested by Israeli forces since the beginning of the second Intifada (September 2000) to over 6,000.
Palestinian child prisoners routinely face violations of their human rights during arrest, interrogation and imprisonment. They are exposed to physical and psychological abuse, amounting to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment, and sometimes torture. The vast majority of them are denied prompt access to a lawyer and often denied contact with their families and the outside world.
Children in detention routinely face substandard, often inhumane conditions of detention and are frequently denied access to adequate medical care and suitable education services.
Recommendations
1. Israel should immediately raise the age of adulthood contained in the Military Courts from 16 to 18, as is the case under Israeli domestic legislation.
2. Israel should immediately ensure its compliance with the UN Convention against Torture and thoroughly investigate all allegations of abuse of Palestinian detainees and bring those responsible for such abuse to justice.
Addameer, DCI/PS and Health Work Committees will hold a press conference in Ramallah for Palestinian Prisoners Day.'
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