Press Release

10 December 1998
Press Release Index
ON THE EVE OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, VIOLENCE ESCALATES THROUGHOUT THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES.
"Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world." Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948
Palestinians, expressing their solidarity with prisoners and detainees, have faced continuing, violent confrontations with the Israeli military forces. These confrontations led to the deaths of two Palestinians. Naser Muhammed Erekat, 20 years old, died on December 9, 1998, at al-Makased hospital, from head wounds which were inflicted as a result of gunfire by an Israeli settler. Jihad Ayad, 16 years old, also died on December 9, 1998, as a result of gunshot wounds to his chest. Additionally, hundreds of other Palestinians were injured in clashes throughout the West Bank.
Prisoners at the Shatta and Nafha prisons announced an open hunger strike on December 5, 1998, to protest their continuous detention and the Israeli breach of its commitments regarding prisoners' release, according to the Palestinian-Israeli agreements, most recently, the Wye River Memorandum.
Al-Haq views with great concern the deteriorating conditions in the Palestinian Occupied Territories resulting from the events over the past several days; in particular, the excessive use of force by the Israeli military forces. Al-Haq calls on the international community to take immediate action, given the announcement that all prisoners plan to participate in a full hunger strike beginning tomorrow, December 11. Such an event would generate serious public anger, and would inevitably lead to more confrontations, violence and bloodshed.
Al-Haq contends that the only way to resolve this crisis and proceed with the peace process requires the following:
  • That Israel complies with all of its commitments and specifically those which deal with the release of prisoners and detainees.
  • That Israel refrains from the use of force, which constitutes a clear violation of the rules and principles of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
  • That the High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention assume their Article 1 responsibilities to ensure Israel's compliance with the Convention, as Israel's actions represent grave breaches of Article 147 of the Convention.
  • That the sponsors of the peace process immediately intervene to insure Israel's compliance with its obligations towards the Palestinians.

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