Israel Locking Up More Children In Isolation

An increasing number of Palestinian children face solitary confinement during interrogation by Israeli authorities.

Dalia Hatuqa Last updated: 19 May 2014 12:53

Ramallah, occupied West Bank - Jamil was only 16 years old when Israeli soldiers raided his Bir al-Basha home near Jenin late last year. It was a few hours before dawn when he was awakened by a hard nudge, blindfolded and handcuffed, then taken away in his pyjamas and house slippers.

His ordeal took place in stages: At an Israeli military base, where he was beaten and forbidden from using the bathroom, at a detention centre where he was interrogated without a lawyer or parent present, and finally, when he was placed and held in an isolated cell for 13 days.

Like Jamil, an increasing number of Palestinian children are being subject to solitary confinement specifically for interrogation purposes while in Israeli detention, according to Defence for Children International.

"The use of isolation against Palestinian children as an interrogation tool is a growing trend," said Ayed Abu Eqtaish, Accountability Program director at DCI's Palestine chapter. "This is a violation of children’s rights and the international community must demand justice and accountability."

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http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/05/israel-locking-up-more-children-isolation-201451965832961918.html