GENEVA, April 6 (Xinhua) -- The UN human rights office on Friday deplored the killing of at least 16 people and the reported injuring of more than 1,000 others during Gaza protests last week where Israeli soldiers were reported to have used "excessive force."
"We are gravely concerned that further violence could occur during demonstrations today and in the coming weeks," said Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) spokesperson Liz Throssell at a UN media briefing here.
OHCHR said the 16 people in Gaza were killed by live fire during protests, with reports indicating that of the more than 1,000 others injured, and hundreds were also hit by live ammunition.
"Given the large number of injuries and deaths, the ominous statements made by Israeli authorities in the days leading up to the protest, as well as indications that the individuals killed or wounded were unarmed or did not pose a serious threat to well-protected security forces -- and in some cases were actually running away from the fence -- there are strong indications that security forces used excessive force," said Throssell.
The UN office noted that Israeli security forces are required by international human rights law to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and expression and to use, to the extent possible, non-violent means to discharge their duties.
"While a minority of protesters reportedly used means that could be dangerous, the use of protective gear and defensive positions by law enforcement officials would have mitigated the risk and should not have led to recourse to lethal force," said Throssell.
She said an attempt to approach or cross the "green-line" fence between Israel and Gaza itself certainly does not amount to a threat to life or serious injury that would justify the use of live ammunition.
