Ramallah: Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS” called for launching an investigation regarding the murder of the citizen Mohammed Ratib Birry (35) years old from Sineerya village in Qalqilya Governorate. Also, the center was following-up with deep concern the announcement of the death of the said citizen in Istishari Arab Hospital in Ramallah, of his wounds, which he sustained earlier as a result of getting shot by members of the security forces while they were attempting to arrest him on a criminal charge, according to the official spokesperson of the Palestinian Police. This comes shortly after the death of a citizen arrested in Beitunya Jail.
“SHAMS” Center also emphasized the right of official authorities and law enforcement bodies to restore security and the rule of law, pursue perpetrators of crimes & offences and bring them to justice. The center also underlines that such acts must not come at the expense of citizens’ rights, and should be used as a justification to violate their legal rights under the name of security restoration.
Moreover, the Center underlined the need to present the truth. Given the confusion surrounding the details of the incident, “SHAMS” Center calls for the following: First: to launch a serious and immediate investigation into the incident and to inform the public on the findings to be reached based on their right to access information and take the necessary Legal action against violators.
Second: The security establishment shall strictly abide by the general standards of the use of force, so this way is only used after resorting to peaceful means, without invoked as an exception or justification for the unlawful use of force and to exercising restraint in their use. As well, to comply with international standards of fire that emphasize to ensure that such instrument is only used in the case of imminent danger for injury rather than murder, according to the United Nations Code of Conduct for Law Enforcement Officials and the United Nations Basic Rules on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.
Third: to take the necessary action to ensure that such serious incident does not recur. In addition to supplement the efforts of the official authorities, and to train all officers in various means of using force in varying degrees as per the international standards and in accordance with the obligations of Palestine under the international human rights conventions and treaties.