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OPT: Death of a 75 year old Palestinian woman

Privet Israeli Security Guards Denied a PRCS Ambulance Access which contributed to the Death of a 75 Year Old Palestinian Woman

Barta'a Gate, 06.08.2007, 06:50am: A PRCS ambulance was stopped by Privet Israeli security guards at Barta'a military gate, in the Jenin area, while on route from Arraba PRCS Emergency Medical Station to Barta'a village to transport a 75 Palestinian woman in critical condition who suffered from heart attack.

The security guards denied the ambulance access, although the medical team explained to them the condition of the patient and the urgency to reach the hospital. After 95 minutes had elapsed the patient arrived at the gate by a privet car, and was then pronounced dead after being checked by the medical team.

The PRCS express its sincere concern to the practices of the members of the Israeli privet security companies at the checkpoints in the west bank, and sees these practices as a violation of the fourth Geneva convention which is legally applied to the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

The convention guarantees the protection and respect of persons who engage in the search for, removal and transport of and caring for wounded and sick civilians (article 20), and ensured the right of recognized National Red Cross and Red Crescent societies to pursue their activities in accordance with Red Cross principles, as defined by the international Red Cross Conferences despite of temporary and exceptional measures imposed for urgent reasons of security by the Occupied Power (article 63), as well as a violation of the right to health of the individuals they were attempting to assist.

Moreover, PRCS reminds the Israeli authorities with their responsibility, as an occupying power, to the death of the civilian woman and calls upon the International community represented at the UN Security Council and General Assembly, and the contracting parties to the Geneva Convention of 1949, to take initiative through practical measures to force Israel to adhere to International Humanitarian Law and to halt all its violations and illegal practices.

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