16 May 2011 – Keith has written to the European Commission to express his concern regarding the ongoing detention of Palestinian children by the Israeli authorities. His letter urges Commissioner Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, to demand that Israel remedy the situation and set up an independent inquiry to look into this appalling situation.
A recent report by Defence for Children International has revealed that 220 Palestinian children are currently being held in ordinary detention in Israel’s military court system, where ill-treatment, and even torture, are widespread, systematic and institutionalised. The European Parliament’s Palestine delegation, of which Keith is a member, and the Human Rights sub-committee recently held a joint hearing where this issue was discussed.
