Report of Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions – HRC 29th session – Addendum (excerpts)

Report of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns

Addendum

Observations on communications transmitted to Governments and replies received

____________

*Reproduced as received.

Israel

(a) JUA 28/05/2014 Case No. ISR 3/2014 Alleged violent threats and intimidation carried out by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) against members of a human rights organization in Hebron, West Bank, occupied Palestinian territories.

Character of reply: no response

(b) JAL 20/08/2014 Case No. ISR 9/2014 Alleged violations by Israel of key principles of international humanitarian law, namely distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack in the context of hostilities.

Character of reply: no response

(c) JAL 21/08/2014 Case No. ISR 8/2014 State reply 12/11/2014 Alleged killings of three peaceful demonstrators in the West Bank by Israeli security forces.

Character of reply: substantive

47. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Israel for the reply. The Special Rapporteur welcomes the information regarding the opening of criminal investigations in relation to the death occurred in the context of the clashes between security forces and demonstrators. The Special Rapporteur would appreciate receiving detailed information on the current stage of the investigations concerning the killings of Mr. Hashem Khader Abu Maria, Mr. Abdelhamid Ahmad Abdelhamid Breighith and Mr. Sultan Yousef Mohammad Al-Shuqdam. The Special Rapporteur shares the concerns expressed by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (A.HRC.28.63.Add.1 para.505) regarding the excessive use of force by Israeli security forces and Border Police during peaceful demonstrations. He urges the Government of Israel to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the alleged violations and to takes steps to end impunity and the recurrence of such acts.

General observations:

48. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government of Israel for its substantive reply to the communication of 28 August 2014 and encourages the Israeli authorities to provide substantive responses to the two others communications mentioned above. The Special Rapporteur is concern regarding the alleged excessive use of force used against these protesters by Israeli security forces. Therefore, he calls upon the Government of Israel to send information on the regulations and operational procedures for law enforcement agents concerning the use of force in the context of law enforcement during assemblies and whether it is compatible with international standards on the use of force and firearms.

/…