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AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL
PRESS
RELEASE
AI
Index: MDE
15/071/2002 (Public)
News
Service No: 77
29
April 2002
Jenin: Israel must answer questions
(Jerusalem) An
Amnesty International high level delegation led by the organization's Secretary
General Irene Khan has confirmed that there is strong evidence indicating that
grave breaches of international humanitarian law and violations of human rights
in Jenin camp were committed by the Israel Defense Force.
"What we are looking at is
facts and the facts are: civilians, including children, were killed;
humanitarian assistance was blocked and the wounded were denied medical
assistance. Extensive demolition of houses rendered three thousand people, the
majority children, homeless," said Irene Khan.
Ms Khan re-iterated her call for the
UN fact-finding mission to be allowed to carry out its work without further
delay or obstacles. UN monitors should be put in place urgently in Jenin
mandated to report on any tampering of evidence that might be needed by the
fact-finding mission in carrying out its work.
She also clarified that there is no
legal definition in international law of the word 'massacre' and that its use
in the current circumstances is not helpful.
"Whatever terms one uses, the
situation in Jenin begs for a full, impartial and independent investigation,"
stated Ms Khan.
"The full facts must be made
known to the victims and their families in their quest for justice."
Public Document
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For more information please call Amnesty International's press office in
London, UK, on +44 20 7413 5566
Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW. web: http://www.amnesty.org