Annual Report - Palestinian Center for Human Rights

1.2) Documentation of Palestinian Violations of Human Rights
1.2.1) Field Visits and First-Hand Information
Field workers conducted field visits to the scenes of incidents, police stations and
hospitals to obtain further information on incidents. They interviewed eyewitnesses.
Field workers also monitored trials at courts.
Means of Verification
o Field workers conducted hundreds of field visits in 2005.
o They monitored a number of trials at civil and military courts.
1.2.2) Interviews with Victims and/or Families and Eyewitnesses
Field workers are required to conduct interviews with several people regarding each
incident in order to verify/cross-check information. Difficulties in obtaining accurate
and detailed statements include witnesses' fears of reprisals.
Means of Verification
o Field workers conducted at least 1,000 interviews with victims and eyewitnesses.
o Field workers gathered at least 500 testimonies from victims and eyewitnesses.
1.2.3) Completion of Forms for Reports on Violations of Human Rights
Special forms for reports on killing and injuries were designed for completion by field
workers in such cases.
Means of Verification
o 130 forms on killings in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and 528 forms on
injuries in the Gaza Strip 51 were completed and entered into the database in 2005.
o For cases involving killings in the West Bank, a special table was designed instead
of using the database, due to difficulties faced in accessing the location of
incidents in the West Bank and due to the small number of staff members in the
West Bank; 79 cases of killing were documented.
o Dozens of forms on the registration of voters were completed.
1.2.4) Collating Photographic/Video Evidence
This activity was explained previously in this section.
Means of Verification
o Field workers collated many photographs.
o Some of these photographs were used in PCHR's monthly newsletter, al-Mentar.
51 Field workers were not able to collate accurate information concerning the number of injuries in the
West Bank due its large area and the travel restrictions imposed by IOF in the area.
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