Humanitarian Coordinator, WHO, OHCHR and OCHA call for the protection of medical worker
Jerusalem, 2 June 2018 - United Nations officials and agencies have expressed their outrage in the face of yesterday’s killing of Razan An Najjar, a 21-year-old female volunteering as a first responder, while carrying out her humanitarian duties with the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS). Razan was hit by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces while trying, with other first responders, to reach those injured during the ‘Great March of Return’ demonstrations close to Israel’s perimeter fence around 18:30. She was taken immediately to a trauma stabilization point, and then to the European Gaza Hospital, where she died just after 19:00. Three others in her team were also injured.
“Healthcare workers must be allowed to perform their duties without fear of death or injury,” said the Humanitarian Coordinator Mr Jamie McGoldrick. “The killing of a clearly-identified medical staffer by security forces during a demonstration is particularly reprehensible. It is difficult to see how it squares with Israel’s obligation as occupying power to ensure the welfare of the population of Gaza.”
These latest incidents come on top of an already-staggering number of attacks on healthcare personnel reported between 30 March and 27 May: 245 health workers and 40 ambulances have been affected by such attacks, according to data provided by the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, PMRS and the Union of Health Work Committees. Many of these were hit by live ammunition.
“Reports indicate that Razan was assisting injured demonstrators and wearing her first responder clothing, clearly distinguishing her as a healthcare worker even from a distance,” said James Heenan, Head of Office, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). “Reports suggest that she was shot in the back about 100 metres from the fence. Under international human rights law, which applies in this context along with international humanitarian law, lethal force may only be used as a last resort and when there is an imminent threat of death or serious injury. It is very difficult to see how Razan posed such a threat to heavily-armed, well-protected Israeli forces in defensive positions on the other side of the fence.”
Attacks on medical teams in Gaza not only risk the life and health of staff and patients, but also undermine the overall capacity of Gaza’s health system, which is already suffering from chronic underfunding and massive pressure, compounded by the more than ten years of blockade.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the protection of health workers and patients at all times. DrGerald Rockenschaub, Head of the WHO office in the oPt, stated: “Today, our thoughts are with the family of Razan, and with our colleagues from the PMRS. Such attacks on health care must not happen and we need to enhance our efforts to ensure the protection of our frontline health workers. There are clear obligations to safeguard healthcare under international law and these must be respected.”
ENDS
For more information please contact the following people:
- For WHO: Ms. Juliana Nassar,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +972 (0) 54 717 9042; - For OHCHR: Ms. Marina Mattirolo,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +972 (0) 58 779 3528; - For the Humanitarian Coordinator and OCHA: Mr. Ofir Feuerstein,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +972 (0) 54 3311 836
