Under these security circumstances, the collection of information about the situation in towns facing military operations is extremely difficult. In particular very little information is available about the situation in Bethlehem/Beit Jala, Qalqilya and Tulkarem.
Human Rights Defenders
There are reports of the searching of the office of al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organization by the military. One member of staff was reportedly arrested. Other offices of NGOs, including human rights NGOs have also reportedly been raided.
This afternoon I spoke by telephone with the father of Caoimhe Butterly, an Irish girl aged 23 who has been in Ramallah since January with an international peace group. She has some medical training and initially went into the compound where Chairman Arafat is confined to help bring out dead and wounded. However, seeing how bad the situation was she decided to remain inside and has been joined by about thirty more volunteers.
On the phone to her father this morning she said, "We are doing what the UN should be doing".
In my report to the Commission on my visit to region in 2000, I asked that the feasibility of establishing an international monitoring presence be explored. That proposal should now be implemented.
Human Rights Defenders
There are reports of the searching of the office of al-Haq, a Palestinian human rights organization by the military. One member of staff was reportedly arrested. Other offices of NGOs, including human rights NGOs have also reportedly been raided.
This afternoon I spoke by telephone with the father of Caoimhe Butterly, an Irish girl aged 23 who has been in Ramallah since January with an international peace group. She has some medical training and initially went into the compound where Chairman Arafat is confined to help bring out dead and wounded. However, seeing how bad the situation was she decided to remain inside and has been joined by about thirty more volunteers.
On the phone to her father this morning she said, "We are doing what the UN should be doing".
In my report to the Commission on my visit to region in 2000, I asked that the feasibility of establishing an international monitoring presence be explored. That proposal should now be implemented.