Ref: 31/2008

Date: 16 April 2008

Time: 11:00 GMT 

PCHR Calls for Investigation into Wounding 4 Civilians by Security Forces in Nablus

On Tuesday evening, 15 April 2008, 4 Palestinian civilian, including a child, were wounded when Palestinian security forces fired at a militant in Nablus. PCHR is concerned that excessive and disproportionate force might have been used in the incident.

According to PCHR’s field worker in Nablus, who witnessed the incident, at approximately 16:00 on Tuesday, when he was near al-Shuhada Square in the center of Nablus, he heard Palestinian security officers ordering a person to stop. He then saw a gunman who did not obey the order and fled to the old town. Immediately, security officers opened fire at him, without taking into consideration the presence of many civilians. As a result, 4 civilian bystanders, including a child, were wounded:

1)      ‘Abdul Halim Wassef ‘Ameera, 43, wounded by shrapnel to the head;

2)      Jihad Sa’id Makhlouf, 43, wounded by shrapnel to the left foot;

3)      Yasser ‘Adli Libbada, 34, wounded by shrapnel to the left shoulder; and

4)      ‘Izz Ma’mounHamama, 16, wounded by shrapnel to the abdomen.

Additionally, a girl, 18-year-old Ghadeer Farqouq ‘Aqqoub, suffered from a shock.

In light of this incident:

1)      PCHR calls up the Palestinian National Authority, represented by the Attorney-General, to investigate this incident and declare the results.

2)      PCHR stresses the need for clear instructions regulating the use of fire arms by law enforcement officials in conformity with international standards and respect for human rights.