Defense for Children International is a leading child rights-focused and membership-based grassroots movement whose mandate is “to ensure effective implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) at the local, national and international level.”
It’s palestinian “offshoot” Defense for Children International Palestine states
We remain the only Palestinian human rights organization specifically focused on child rights.
Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCIP) is an independent, local Palestinian child rights organization dedicated to defending and promoting the rights of children living in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. For nearly 30 years, we have investigated, documented, and exposed grave human rights violations against children; provided legal services to children in urgent need; held Israeli and Palestinian authorities accountable to universal human rights principles; and advocated at the international and national levels to advance access to justice and protection for children.As a national section of Defence for Children International (DCI), an international child-rights movement and non-governmental organization established in 1979, we pledge to follow DCI’s mandate to “promote and protect children’s rights in accordance with international standards.” At the same time, DCIP is an autonomous organization that raises its own funds and develops its own programs in response to contextual needs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
I wonder if defending a palestinian terrorist is part of this mandate
Mahmoud Omar Sadeq Kmail, 17, from Qabatiya in the northern West Bank near Jenin, was shot by Israeli forces in the Bab Huta neighborhood in Jerusalem’s Old City shortly after 8 p.m. Monday evening, according to information collected by Defense for Children International – Palestine. Israeli forces shot Mahmoud during a short chase after he had allegedly opened fire on Israeli police stationed near the Huta Gate, located on the northern side of the Al-Aqsa compound.
“Israeli forces routinely use intentional lethal force in circumstances not justified by international law, which in some incidents amount to extrajudicial killings,” said Ayed Abu Eqtaish, Accountability Program Director at DCIP. “If a child is suspected of committing a criminal act, they should be apprehended in accordance with international standards and afforded due process of law. There must be an impartial independent investigation in this case.”
Under international law, intentional lethal force is only justified in circumstances where a direct threat to life or of serious injury is present. However, investigations and evidence collected by DCIP regularly suggest that Israeli forces use lethal force against Palestinian children in circumstances that may amount to extrajudicial or wilful killings.
Mahmoud fled after allegedly firing on Israeli paramilitary border police officers with a “Carlo” submachine gun, according to Haaretz.
As a reminder, there is nothing “alleged” about this “child” opening fire on people with a submachine gun. You can clearly see it in the surveillance footage released by Israeli police, and not just something Ha’aretz made up
He was clearly a “direct threat to life or of serious injury” and his neutralization was justified and legal.
Meanwhile, they don’t seem concerned that this 17-year-old was seemingly recruited by a terrorist organization.
I wonder if Defense for Children International are ok with this from their palestinian offshoot.
Hat tip: Maks
