Obstacles to justice and redress for Palestinian victims : joint statement issued by Palestinian, Israeli and Int’l NGOs

26/04/2013
Press release

On Wednesday, 24 April 2013, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) concluded its international legal conference in Malaga, titled “Pursuing justice and redress for Palestinian victims: developing strategies for advocacy and litigation”. A joint statement outlining the conclusions of the conference was released today, Thursday 25 April, and signed by Adalah, Al Dameer Association for Human Rights, Al Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, B’Tselem, FIDH, PCHR, and Redress.

The conference addressed, amongst other issues, recent developments within the Israeli legal system, which are effectively blocking nearly all avenues for access to justice for Palestinian victims. Discussion centred around legal, practical, and procedural obstacles that have been put in place over a number of years, which have made it practically impossible for victims to pursue accountability and their right to redress.

Palestinian, Israeli & Int'l NGOs discussing obstacles to justice and redress for Palestian victims

Palestinian, Israeli & Int’l NGOs gathered together in Malaga (Spain) on April 24th 2013

PCHR convened the conference with the aim of developing possible legal and advocacy strategies for moving forward in the pursuit of justice for victims. The conference was participated in by representatives from Adalah, Al Dameer Association for Human Rights, Al Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, B’Tselem, the International Federation for Human Rights, the Norwegian Refugee Council, PCHR, Physicians for Human Rights, the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, Redress, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as international lawyers Emily Schaeffer and Daniel Machover, and international legal expert, Chantal Meloni.

This is the fourth conference of its kind organised by PCHR, in close cooperation with international partners, especially Al Quds Malaga, and attended by Palestinian, Israeli, and international human rights organisations and lawyers.

MALAGA STATEMENT

From 23-24 April 2013, representatives of 13 Palestinian, Israeli, and international organisations, and a number of international lawyers and legal experts, came together in Malaga, Spain, to discuss the critical situation facing Palestinian victims who attempt to seek compensation for death, injury, and destruction of property.

Israel has the duty to investigate and prosecute alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law committed against Palestinian civilians, must provide equal and effective access to justice for victims, and, as the Occupying Power in occupied Palestine, is liable to provide compensation to victims. Israel has failed to comply with that duty. Numerous legal, procedural, and practical obstacles in the Israeli civil and criminal legal system contribute to the systematic denial of the right of victims to effective judicial remedy.

Israel’s violation of Palestinian victims’ right to compensation is of pressing concern. The Israeli Tort Law exempts the State of Israel from any liability arising from damage caused during a ‘combat action’ and from its responsibility for injuries and damages inflicted on residents of ‘enemy states’. This exemption was broadened with the introduction of the 2012 Amendment No. 8, which applies retroactively to 12 September 2005, resulting in the dismissal of pending cases from the Gaza Strip which were filed before the Amendment was passed, without consideration of the merits of the petition.

The functioning of the legal system consistently shields Israel from any accountability vis-á-vis Palestinian victims, and also imposes high court fees and court guarantees on victims and their families that are seized by the court when the cases are dismissed.

The undersigned Palestinian, Israeli, and international organisations agree that:

  • The cumulative effect of Israeli substantive and procedural legal barriers bars Palestinian victims from access to and effective remedy from the Israeli civil judiciary for compensation claims; and
  • Palestinians from the Gaza Strip are particularly affected by the above legal challenges, leaving them no viable legal avenue for redress.

The undersigned organisations call on the international, Israeli and Palestinian legal communities to confront these challenges and help to remove these obstacles to justice and redress for Palestinian victims.

Adalah
Al Dameer Association for Human Rights
Al Haq
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights
B’Tselem
FIDH
Palestinian Centre for Human Rights
Redress

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