Palestinian FM Condemns Israeli Bill to Jail 14 Year-old Palestinians

A Palestinian woman speaks with an Israeli soldier at the scene of an attack in which two Palestinians wounded an Israeli soldier in a knife attack

Ramallah, 19 Jumadil Akhir 1437/29 March 2016 (MINA)  –  Palestinian Foreign Ministry condemned, on Monday, an Israeli amendment to a bill that allowed Palestinian children under 14 to be sentenced to jail, describing it as against “international accords.”

“The amendment to the bill goes against the essence of international conventions on children’s rights, which calls for the protection of kids from abuse and violation” the Ministry said in a press statement.

It called on human rights organizations to act swiftly to stop this new amendment for its detrimental effect on children’s lives, Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) quoted KUNA as reporting.

Israeli Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked submitted the bill amendment to create a “state of deterrence.”

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The amendment allows Palestinian kids under 14 years old, who are convicted of murder, attempted murder or manslaughter, to be jailed once they are of legal age.

While Israel has placed occupied East Jerusalem under its civilian law, the rest of the occupied West Bank is under military rule.

Israeli military courts are already able to try and imprison Palestinian children 12 years and older in the West Bank, as long as they do not carry Israeli-issued Jerusalem residency permits.   (T/R07/R01)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

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