Israel’s Child and Teenage Prisoners of Conscience
Thousands of Palestinian children persecuted and silenced by Israeli Occupational Forces
|
Since 2000, an estimated 12,000 Palestinian children have been arbitrarily detained in Israel’s military detention system. They are mostly charged for throwing stones at Israeli soldiers, an act punishable by up to maximum 20 years in prison.
|
Israeli forces have killed 29 Palestinian children since the beginning of 2022.
|
How Are Palestinian Minors Treated in Israeli Custody?
Denied Fundamental Rights
|
Abusive Environment
Detained children experience physical and sexual violence, and are sometimes released after years of arbitrary incarceration. |
Inhumane Treatment
|
Institutionalized Detainment
|
Sources: Save the Children Report, Save the Children Media Centre, Amnesty, UN.
BREAK THE CYCLE OF TRAUMA! STOP ARBITRARY DETENTION, KIDNAPPING AND ABUSE OF PALESTINIAN CHILDREN AND YOUTH!
|
Each year, Canada recognizes November 20th as “National Child Day” to protect and uphold the rights of children around the world. This observance was adopted in commemoration of the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). As a party to this convention, Canada has failed its global commitment to ensure all children – including Palestinian children – are protected from harm and treated with dignity and respect.
|
The Cruel Treatment of Palestinian Children Detained in Israeli Custody
|
8 in 10
reported physical beatings. |
9 in 10
reported verbal abuse under Israeli custody. |
56%
reported being forced to sign Hebrew documents (a language they don’t understand). |
75 to 80%
experience physical violence during arrest or interrogations. |
|
86 %
faced humiliation and reported feeling ashamed through strip searches. |
88%
were denied timely or adequate health care. |
93%
were denied access to bail or legal services during interrogations. |
97 to 98%
of most cases end with a plea bargain and guaranteed jail time. |
How Israeli Occupational Forces Target and Arrest Palestinian Children
➞ Israel is the only country that prosecutes children in military courts. In 2021, 1,300 Palestinian children were arrested by Israeli authorities. As of June 2022, 170 Palestinian children remain in Israeli prisons. Most are in pre-trial detention and have not been convicted of any offence.
➞ Israeli authorities mostly convict Palestinian minors through forced confessions, interrogations using humiliation, verbal abuse, solitary confinement, including physical and psychological torture.
➞ Palestinian children are arrested by armed Israeli soldiers raiding their homes at night. They are bound, blindfolded, sleep deprived and subject to stress positions when delivered to Israeli interrogation centres.
➞ No food or water was reported by Palestinian children up to 24 hours after being arrested, including denying toilet or medicine access.
➞ Most Palestinian children are not allowed to see their families while detained, resulting in isolation and emotional distress.
➞ Israeli authorities mostly convict Palestinian minors through forced confessions, interrogations using humiliation, verbal abuse, solitary confinement, including physical and psychological torture.
➞ Palestinian children are arrested by armed Israeli soldiers raiding their homes at night. They are bound, blindfolded, sleep deprived and subject to stress positions when delivered to Israeli interrogation centres.
➞ No food or water was reported by Palestinian children up to 24 hours after being arrested, including denying toilet or medicine access.
➞ Most Palestinian children are not allowed to see their families while detained, resulting in isolation and emotional distress.
|
|
|