A resolution adopted on Tuesday by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has called on Israel to work with UNICEF, the Red Cross and the civil society to change laws, practices and attitudes so as to fully protect the rights of Palestinian minors during and after detention.
“According to the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the vast majority of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) (international, Palestinian and Israeli), ill-treatment of Palestinian minors in the Israeli military detention system is widespread, systematic and institutionalized throughout the process, from the moment of arrest until the child’s prosecution and eventual conviction and sentencing,” the text of the resolution stressed.
The Assembly highlighted the importance of fully applying the provisions of international law related to the rights of children.
“An end must be put to all forms of physical or psychological abuse of children during arrest, transit and waiting periods, and during interrogations,” its resolution said.
PACE also recommended that no child be held in administrative detention or solitary confinement “for any reason,” and called on Israel to raise the age of criminal responsibility of children to at least 14 years.
