Frontline children
INTERNATIONAL law requires different legal systems for foreigners on territory under occupation as compared to a country's own citizens.
To apply the same law would be to legally annex the foreign territory and population. Israel has not done that in Palestine ("Carr raises concerns over plight of Palestinian children in Israeli jails", 28-29/7).
The violence perpetrated by Palestinian juveniles is politically motivated by a narrative of heroic hatred and local support. Under the Geneva conventions, youths can be detained for security reasons, and those over 14 can be prosecuted.
While the Israeli military justice system needs improvement, what is really needed is peace education. Children should not be manipulated on to the front lines of battle.
Greg Rose, Faculty of Law, Wollongong University, NSW
No comments:
Post a Comment