Palestinian Child Prisoners: The Systematic and Institutionalised Ill-treatment and Torture of Palestinian Children by Israeli Authorities

Jul 3, 2026

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A June 2009 report by Defence for Children International – Palestine Section (DCI-Palestine) documents the systematic and institutionalised ill-treatment and torture of Palestinian children by Israeli authorities. It describes the organisation’s mandate to promote and protect children’s rights and outlines a legal and advocacy framework including free legal assistance, evidence collection, research, and report drafting. The contents focus on the Israeli military court system, arrest-to-interrogation processes, detention locations, and violations of fair trial and defence rights.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages118

Reading Time4 h 57 min

Executive summary

Introduction

Overview of the Israeli military court system

Process of arrest, transfer and interrogation

Map of interrogation centres and prisons in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory

The military court apparatus

Should civilians be tried in military courts?

Proceedings in the military courts

Denial of fair trial rights

The right to prepare an effective defence

The right to a presumption of innocence

Palestinian Child Prisoners The systematic and institutionalised ill-treatment and torture of Palestinian children by Israeli authorities Palestinian Child Prisoners The systematic and institutionalised ill-treatment and torture of Palestinian children by Israeli authorities June 2009 Defence for Children International – Palestine Section (DCI-Palestine) is a national section of the international non-governmental child rights organisation and movement, Defence for Children International (DCI), established in 1979, with consultative status with ECOSOC. DCI-Palestine was established in 1992, and is dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of Palestinian children in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), as well as other international, regional and local standards. As part of its ongoing work to uphold the rights of Palestinian children, DCI-Palestine provides free legal assistance, collects evidence, researches and drafts reports and conducts general advocacy targeting various duty bearers. For further information please contact a DCI-Palestine advocacy officer. DCI-Palestine Postal address: P.O. Box 55201, Jerusalem Tel: +972 (0)2 242 7530 Fax: +972 (0)2 242 7018 Email: [ria@dci-pal.org](ria@dci-pal.org) [Website: www.dci-pal.org](Website: www.dci-pal.org) Design & Printing: BAILASAN Design | ‘I went from having a normal life at home to handcuffs, deprivation ofsleep, shouting, threats, rounds ofinterrogation and serious accusations. In these circumstances, life becomes dark, filled with fear andpessimism–tough days that words cannot describe.’ Mahmoud D. (17 years) A soldier pointed his rifle at me. The rifle barrel was a few centimetres away from my face. I was so terrified that I started to shiver. He made fun of me and said: ‘shivering? Tell me where the pistol is before I shootyou.’ Ezzat H. (10 years) Contents A. Executive summary ......................................................................................................................................................................... 06 B. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 08 C. Overview of the Israeli military court system ..................................................................................................... 09 Process of arrest, transfer and interrogation .................................................................................................................. 09 Map of interrogation centres and prisons in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory ... 12 The military court apparatus ........................................................................................................................................................ 13 Should civilians be tried in military courts? ..................................................................................................................... 14 Proceedings in the military courts ........................................................................................................................................... 15 Denial of fair trial rights .................................................................................................................................................................... 16 The right to prepare an effective defence ................................................................................................................. 16 The right to a presumption of innocence .......................................................................................................

FAQs

Who publishes the report and when was it produced?

The report is produced by Defence for Children International – Palestine Section (DCI-Palestine) and is dated June 2009.

What is the report’s main focus regarding Palestinian children?

It documents the systematic and institutionalised ill-treatment and torture of Palestinian children by Israeli authorities.

Which areas of the Israeli military court system are covered?

The table of contents covers arrest, transfer and interrogation; the military court apparatus; whether civilians should be tried in military courts; court proceedings; and denial of fair trial rights, including rights to prepare an effective defence and to a presumption of innocence.

Jul 3, 2026

Upload by Ophelia