Law enforcement upon members of the security forces who commit criminal offenses against Palestinians and their property in the West Bank, ranging from manslaughter to abuse to looting, is under the responsibility of the Military Advocate General (MAG), the Military Police Criminal Investigation Department (MPCID) and the Department for the Investigation of Police Officers in the Ministry of Justice (DIP). Throughout the years of the Israeli occupation of the territories, and especially during recent years, the law enforcement agencies have been under severe criticism for their investigation of suspects and prosecution of members of the security forces accused of committing such offenses. Figures provided to Yesh Din show that during the years of the second intifada 90% of MPCID investigations ended with the files being closed and without indictments being filed.
The purpose of the project is to lead to systemic changes which will significantly increase the accountability of members of the security forces who commit criminal offenses against Palestinian civilians in the Occupied Territories. To further that end Yesh Din is collecting evidence from victims of criminal offenses committed by security forces personnel in the Occupied Territories, helping them file complaints when necessary, monitoring decisions on launching investigations into those complaints and following up the processing of the investigation files. The findings of this monitoring, combined with the collection of additional information and further research, will serve Yesh Din to form findings on failures in the investigation and prosecution procedures of security forces' personnel involved in committing criminal offenses against Palestinians. The findings will provide the basis for a public and legal campaign to correct the faults.
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