Amber Rudd,
House of Commons,
London,
SW1A 0AA




Re: Continued Abuse of Palestinian Children

I am writing to you out of concern for the continued mistreatment of Palestinian children by the Israeli Military system in complete disregard of their human rights.

The experience of Palestinian youth, sanctioned by Israeli law, is one of adversity, oppression and, at times, tragedy. This is clearly demonstrated by the ill-treatment of child prisoners in the Israeli military detention system. They are:

  • Taken from their homes at gunpoint in night-time raids by soldiers.
  • Blindfolded, bound and shackled.
  • Interrogated without a lawyer or relative being present and with no audio-visual recording.
  • Put into solitary confinement.
  • Forced to sign confessions (often in Hebrew - a language they do not understand).

    Basic international standards of the treatment of juveniles that are found in the UN Convention of the Child and the Fourth Geneva Convention are obviously not being met by Israel. In fact, when this question came before MPs in the House of Commons in February 2018, it became clear during the debate that Israel had largely ignored recommendations made by two previous reports: that of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) 2013 and Children in Military Custody, 2012, which was funded by the UK government. The UN report damningly concluded that Ill-treatment remains "widespread, systematic and institutionalised throughout the process."

    Evidence during this debate that came from NGO Military Court Watch showed that only one of UNICEF's 88 recommendations - access by lawyers to medical records - had been substantially implemented. Moreover, out of the UK Report's 40 recommendations, only one - on the separation of children from adults in detention - had been substantially implemented.

    Today, 200 child prisoners are being held by Israel whose soldiers often detain children under 14, sometimes even under the age of 12. Time has come surely, to do more than compile reports and hold talks that attempt to persuade Israel to comply with basic human rights. I call on our government to take meaningful steps to end this abuse and to put principles before other considerations. Anything less would be a dereliction of our country's moral duty.

    Please can you tell me the specific steps you intend to take in the immediate future to put effective pressure on the Israeli government.

    Yours sincerely









    •