[9 November 2015] – On 26 October the granting of export licenses by the Dutch Government for the supply of service dogs to the Israeli military was raised in Parliament following media reports highlighting their involvement in human rights’ abuses in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. MCW understands that the Dutch Government is now reviewing its policy for issuing the licenses for the export of dogs supplied by Four Winds K9 as it may infringe EU guidelines intended to enhance human rights’ protection.
The urgency for this review is highlighted by a recent case documented by MCW, which reportedly occurred on 12 October 2015. According to the testimony of a 16-year-old youth from the West Bank village of Tuqu’, he and five other Palestinian detainees were deliberately attacked by a service dog whilst held in a cell in an interrogation centre in the West Bank settlement block of Etzion. At the time of the attack the youth was tied and blindfolded. The incident reportedly resulted in one detainee losing consciousness and all detainees being hospitalised.
Service dogs supplied by The Netherlands to the Israeli military are regularly used during terrifying night raids on Palestinian homes in the West Bank as well as to break-up protests deemed illegal under military law. MCW has documented two other cases during the past 12 months in which minors required hospital treatment following attacks by military services dogs:
- On 23 December 2014, a 16-year-old youth reports he was attacked by service dogs whilst attending a demonstration near the West Bank settlement of Karmi Zur. The youth reports that he was bitten on his shoulder and right leg resulting in hospitalisation for two days. The youth reports that the soldiers appeared to deliberately allow the dogs to attack for an extended period and ignored his pleas for help. Video footage
- On 20 October 2014, a 16-year-old youth reports that he was attacked by service dogs as he was working with his father on their land near the settlement of Karmi Zur. The youth reports that he was bitten on his hand, leg and back which resulted in heavy bleeding requiring hospitalisation.
According to recent media reports service dogs are also being supplied to the Israeli military by German dog trainer, Engelbert Uphues, of Ramsdorf.
This matter requires urgent attention in both The Netherlands and Germany to ascertain whether EU regulations for the export of certain items to conflict zones designed to prevent member states from inadvertently contributing to human rights’ abuses are being adhered to within the letter and the spirit of the guidelines.
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