Human Rights Defenders in Israel and
the Palestinian Territories

Rights defenders’ work must be protected to help break cycle of violence

The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights is deeply troubled by the violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. It calls on all parties to desist from violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. In particular, civilian life should be protected from attack.

The Lawyers Committee condemns Palestinian attacks on Israeli civilians that have escalated so dramatically in recent months. Palestinian leaders, including the President of the Palestine Authority Yasser Arafat, must make clear that the deliberate targeting of civilians, including suicide bombings, are grave breaches of the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law. Those responsible for instigating or materially assisting such attacks must be held criminally responsible by the Palestinian Authority. Palestinian security forces must fully cooperate with their Israeli counterparts in identifying and apprehending and bringing to justice those responsible for such attacks.

The Lawyers Committee is also deeply concerned about the rapid deterioration in conditions in the Palestinian territories as a result of recent military incursions by the Israel Defense Force (IDF). While recognizing the government's right, indeed its obligation, to protect the security of its own citizens, a number of actions it has taken recently are cause for great concern. Among these are the raids that have been conducted into the offices of prominent Palestinian human rights organizations, and the severe restrictions on their ability to operate.

Human rights defenders have an essential role to play in systematically and objectively monitoring human rights conditions, and in demanding accountability from government and other responsible officials. Their activities can help to deter further violations of international law, and can contribute to de-escalating conflict by building confidence that those engaged in or inciting violations will be observed and held accountable.

In this context, the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights calls for -- and will continue to call for the lifting of obstacles in the way of all independent human rights defenders – Israeli, Palestinian and international – in the Palestinian territories.