25 November marks the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This year, the internationally-recognized day is marked in Palestine amidst continued practices and policies by Israel that violate the rights of and harm Palestinian women. Killing and injury of women, of husbands and other family members; home demolitions; and the restrictions imposed by the occupation regime are only some examples of the serious violations that impact on Palestinian women. Domestic violence against women is also ongoing within Palestinian society; often increasing as poverty and hardship surge. The pressures on women can be seen in the killing of 17-year-old girl, R.B., who had been married prior to reaching legal age. Her death draws attention to a myriad of violations against women.

Al Mezan Center for Human Rights strongly condemns Israeli practices and policies against Palestinian women that directly and indirectly target them. Al Mezan also condemns the violations against them occurring in Palestinian society. Al Mezan reiterates its calls on the Palestinian Authority, particularly the judicial authority, to reflect the gravity of the crime of ‘honor killings’ within sentencing. 

According to Al Mezan’s documentation, the body of R.B, 17, was delivered to Kamal Odwan Hospital at approximately 12:50 pm on Wednesday, 25 November 2015. Medical sources announced that she had died due to suffocation. The police opened an investigation into the incident and stated that the circumstances were still unspecified.

Since the beginning of 2015, 13 women have been killed in occupied Palestine, including one woman who had been married prior to legal age according to Palestinian Basic Law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, of which Palestine is a Party. Three of the victims were killed on the grounds of “family honor”. 62 women were injured within their communities due to eruption of violence.

Since the beginning of 2014 and until issuing this press release, 300 Palestinian women were killed by Israeli forces. The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that 2,070 women were injured during the latest Israeli aggression on Gaza Strip code-named “Operation Protective Edge” in the summer of 2014. Al Mezan verified 1,482 of those cases.

Al Mezan recalls the UN Secretary General’s message in 1981 to reflect on the date’s significance whereby three sisters from the Dominican Republic were assassinated for their popular and feminist resistance actions.

Al Mezan welcomes the increasing focus around the world on enhancing international efforts to combat violence against women. Al Mezan highlights the increasing focus on women rights in the context of armed conflict and domestic violence by Palestinian NGOs.

Al Mezan expresses its regret at the contradiction between the international community’s emphasis on promoting women’s rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and its failure to intervene to confront systemic abuses against Palestinian women or oblige Israel to uphold its international legal obligations. 

Therefore, Al Mezan reiterates its previous calls on the international community to work towards ensuring and enhancing the respect, protect and fulfilment of women’s human rights, and non-discrimination.

Al Mezan calls on the Palestinian Authority to work effectively towards upholding its obligations under international law, particularly the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, of which Palestine is a Party.

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