62
those responsible accountable. When criminal purposes behind the killings are
proven, doubts will be raised about the backgrounds of these cases.60
During 2010, ICHR did not record any murder case with a background of the so‐
called "family honor" reasoning either in the West Bank or Gaza Strip,61
compared with (4) deaths with that background in 2009. Also ICHR did not record
any murder case with a background of internal fighting this year, and this is a
qualitative development of the situation that prevailed in previous years, where
(8) citizens had been killed with this background in 2009.
ICHR recorded the occurrence of (12) deaths in the West Bank as a result of
negligence and lack of precaution imposed on the official parties as a form of
supervision or inspection, and, therefore were being held partly responsible for
these cases.62 Some (8) citizens died in the workplace, (2) citizens died drowning
due to lack of sufficient security means in the pool, (1) citizen died as a result of
falling from a school wall which is not fenced (located next to the playground of
Al‐Khader in Bethlehem), and another (1) died as a result of falling into a hole
inside the camp where he lives.63
60
ICHR already noted in more than one report the importance of the declaration of the Public Prosecution
for the actions and measures taken on each issue. In particular, this applies to general and sensitive
issues, while maintaining any confidentiality imposed by the law due to the importance of achieving
general deterrence among the public not to commit such crimes on the one hand, and the importance, on
the other hand, of providing an atmosphere of security and tranquility among citizens.
61
ICHR has recorded in its monthly reports one case of murder with a background of so‐called family
honor in 2010. It became clear later during the investigation of the Pubic Prosecution that the girl had
been killed on a criminal basis after being raped by a family member (incest) in order to hide the effects of
the crime under the pretext of so‐called "family honor."
62
What is meant by deaths based on a background of neglect and failure to take safety precautions is that
it is due to a lack of security measures in public places or in the workplace, which imposes on public
authorities the duty to ensure the availability of these means. A clear example of this is the need for a
lifeguard in a swimming pool during the times when there are people in the pool; the presence of a
lifeguard in every swimming pool is one of the general conditions necessary for licensing any swimming
pool.
63
Within the annual audit it conducts for the list of deaths as a result of the weakness of the rule of law
and which appears in its annual report, ICHR excluded from this list (30) cases classified as cases of death
resulting from negligence and lack of consideration through means of public safety, because these cases
impose responsibility on the citizens themselves more than the responsibility imposed on the official
authorities. It should be noted that ICHR formerly mentioned these cases in the past, both in the lists
presented in its previous annual reports or in the monthly violations reports issued at the end of each
month.