Submitted by crinadmin on
[10 September 2007] - Palestinian children comprise over 50 per cent of the population of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the Occupied Palestinian Territories. Approximately 60 per cent of children who are arrested in the West Bank and prosecuted in the Israeli Military Courts are represented by lawyers employed by Defence for Children International, Palestine Section (DCI). DCI lawyers also provide a regular prison visiting service to Palestinian children. During these visits, statements are taken from them about their experiences in custody, particularly their experiences during interrogation. The remaining 40 per cent of Palestinian children who are arrested and prosecuted in the West Bank are represented by either privately paid Israeli or Palestinian lawyers or lawyers employed by other Palestinian non government organisations. This report is based on approximately 200 cases conducted by DCI Palestine lawyers in the Israeli Military Courts during January to June 2007, and 30 statements taken from Palestinian children detained in Israeli prisons and interrogation and detention centers, during the same period. Further information