Resource: Children in military custody – a progress report

Last year, a group of UK lawyers published a report, Children in Military Custody, reviewing how children are treated in Israel’s military court system taking into account both the legal framework and practice. Eighteen months later, Military Court Watch (MCW) has reviewed the report’s 40 recommendations and assessed whether they have been substantially or partially implemented, or not implemented at all. The findings are presented below.

Read: Assessing developments in Israel’s juvenile military courts

Military Court Watch is a voluntary association founded by a small group of lawyers and other professionals with a belief in the rule of law. MCW is guided by two basic principles. First, all children detained by the Israeli military authorities are entitled to all the rights and protections guaranteed under international law. Secondly, that there can be no legal justification for treating Palestinian and Israeli children differently under Israel’s military and civilian legal systems. In pursuit of these principles, MCW investigates, litigates, advocates and educates in the region and beyond.