Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: Save the Children's annual reviews highlight some of the major trends that affect children's rights in the OPT - trends that threaten children's ability to grow up happy, healthy, educated and safe.
Some Key Highlights: - 26.9 per cent of children in the OPT were living in households with income below the national poverty line – 38.4 per cent in Gaza and 19 per cent in the West Bank. In Gaza, 71 per cent of families received at least one form of social assistance, which played a crucial role in alleviating poverty. - More than 90,000 children are at risk of food insecurity in Gaza. Despite high levels of food assistance received, almost one-third of households in Gaza did not maintain a diet with varied and nutritious foods. - Khirbet Tana School (Nablus) was subject to recurrent attack when Israeli forces demolished the school two times in 2010. Across the OPT, the right to education continues to be undermined as a result of classroom shortages, inadequate learning environment within schools, access difficulties for students and teachers and lack of protection from settler and military violence. - Despite Israel’s announcement to ease restrictions on Gaza, there were no significant improvements in quality of services and livelihoods. By the end of 2010, 65 per cent of industrial businesses were shut down and the rest operated at only partial capacity. Less than one percent of houses completely destroyed during Israel’s 2008/09 Gaza offensive had been repaired, and only a fraction of necessary water and sanitation materials had been granted entry. - There was an almost 60 per cent increase in demolitions of Palestinian structures carried out by Israeli authorities in East Jerusalem and Area C, causing 299 children to lose their homes. Of the structures demolished in Area C, at least 40 were water supply sources, affecting access for thousands of children. - In the latter part of 2010, the number of Palestinian children arrested in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan increased sharply. Reports from human rights groups indicate Israeli police and security forces violated Israeli domestic laws granting special protections for children during their arrest. A review of 13 sworn testimonies taken over a three month period showed that 77 per cent were exposed to physical violence, 69 per cent were interrogated in the absence of a parent, 46 per cent were verbally abused, and 31 per cent were detained with adults. Further Information:
pdf: http://www.crin.org/docs/Child_Rights_Review_2010(1).pdf