GENEVA, April 7, 2018 (WAFA) – United Nations human rights experts condemned on Friday Israel’s killing of at least 19 Palestinian protesters near the Gaza fence in the last two weeks and injuring hundreds others and urged international community to ensure accountability through independent and impartial investigation into the Israeli response.

A statement by the experts said, "We echo the call by the UN Secretary-General for an independent and transparent investigation into the Gaza incidents, with a view to holding accountable those responsible. We also call on leaders on both sides to do all in their power to prevent further injuries and loss of life."

The experts expressed deep concern at reports that Israel’s Minister of Defense stated that there will not be any inquiry into Israel’s actions.

“International law sets strict prohibitions on the use of force by law enforcement officials,” said the human rights experts.

“The Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials require they refrain from using lethal force on demonstrators unless strictly unavoidable in order to protect their own or others’ lives; their safety must be in actual danger,” the experts said.

"There is no available evidence to suggest that the lives of heavily armed security forces were threatened,” they added.

“Israel has ignored repeated demands by the international community to credibly investigate and prosecute substantial allegations of wrongful killings by its security forces,” they said.

They noted that willful killing or serious injury of the protected population amounts to grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention, reminding Israel that peaceful protest is a legitimate exercise of the rights of freedom of expression, assembly and association.

“Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated to protect and to respect the human rights of the Palestinians living in occupied Gaza," they said.

M.K.