Palestinian Newborns Die in Israeli Checkpoint Delays: UN
- From: "Faris Jawad" <ana_faris_bila_jawad@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 23 Sep 2005 14:06:45 -0400
Palestinian Newborns Die in Israeli Checkpoint Delays: UN
GENEVA, September 23, 2005 (IslamOnline.net) - Israeli security measures and
consequent delays at checkpoints are responsible for the death of
Palestinian newborns and mothers in labor, the UN said in a new report
released Thursday, September 22.
Since 2000, there have been more than 70 cases of women in labor who were
delayed at checkpoints, resulting in "unattended and risky roadside births,
causing maternal as well as newborn deaths," read the report, prepared for
the UN General Assembly by the Geneva-based UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights, Reuters reported.
Sixty-one women have given birth at the checkpoints and 36 of their babies
died as a result, said the report, based on statistics and counts from the
World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Population Fund (UNPF) and the UN
Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
Fifteen pregnant women in 2004 and eight in 2005 were delayed at checkpoints
in the Gaza Strip for 1 to 2-1/2 hours while being transported to a hospital
by a Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulance.
Out of the eight blocked this year, one gave birth in the ambulance while a
second, suffering from problems in her six-month pregnancy, aborted in the
ambulance, according to the compiled report.
"Significantly Impaired"
The report said Palestinians' access to medical facilities has been
"significantly impaired" due to Israeli security procedures at checkpoints
and its construction of a barrier in the West Bank.
A growing number of Palestinian women have responded by having caesarean
deliveries or giving birth at home rather than try to travel to a medical
facility.
The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group said in 2004 at least 83
Palestinians seeking medical care have died during delays at checkpoints
since 2001.
Palestinian sufferings are swelling at a dozen Israeli military checkpoints
across the occupied territories.
Beatings, shootings, harassment, humiliation in front of children and wives
and life-threatening delays are but a few examples of the appalling
conditions at the crossings, according to human rights activists.
Qalandia, Hawara and Rafah crossings in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip
respectively are among the worst nightmares for the Palestinians.
The Qalandia crossing, between Ramallah and Al-Quds (occupied east
Jerusalem), is a line of six checkpoints stretching across 30 meters and the
Palestinians have to undergo provocative and humiliating searches by Israeli
soldiers to pass in or out.
In August of last year, the occupation army closed the Rafah checkpoint for
up to 17 consecutive days.
Some 3,000 men, women and children of all ages were crammed into a parking
lot about half the size of a soccer field with only two doors for
ventilation and straw mats serving as beds.
http://islamonline.net/English/News/2005-09/23/article04.shtml
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