MAHAR Condemns Abuse Of Palestinian Child Detainees, Urges Urgent International Action

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Humanitarian Aid and Relief (MAHAR) has condemned the continued and systematic abuse by Israeli authorities against Palestinian children in detention, describing it as a violation of international law and an affront to basic human dignity.

MAHAR's adviser Nurul Izzah Anwar stated that no child should ever know the fear of being taken from their home in the middle of the night or endure trauma behind bars.

"The targeting of children is not only a violation of international convention but also it is a stain on our shared humanity. We must act with urgency to stop this injustice," she said in a statement today.

The organisation said that numerous humanitarian and human rights groups have consistently documented disturbing patterns of abuse involving minors, including physical violence during arrest, blindfolding, threats against family members, prolonged solitary confinement, and forced confessions.

MAHAR has called for an immediate end to the arbitrary detention and abuse of Palestinian children, urging for transparent investigations and accountability for all perpetrators of rights violations.

The group is also calling for independent monitoring of detention facilities, adequate legal protections for detainees, and the full enforcement of international child protection protocols throughout all occupied territories.

"MAHAR urges the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), ASEAN nations, and the broader international community to demand justice, push for diplomatic action, and protect the future of Palestinian children from further harm," the statement said.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza, widely condemned by human rights groups as a genocidal campaign, has resulted in the killing and wounding of over 192,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children.

--BERNAMA