Israel

(asked on 18th July 2014) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have had discussions with the directors of G4S about that company’s adherence to the terms of the Fourth Geneva Convention as it applies to the detention of Palestinian prisoners inside Israel; and what was the outcome of any such discussions.


Answered by
Baroness Warsi Portrait
Baroness Warsi
This question was answered on 4th August 2014

The Government has made clear our concerns about Israel’s treatment of Palestinian detainees in meetings with G4S. The UK also considers that Israel’s detention of Palestinian prisoners within Israel is contrary to Article 76 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and have clearly stated this position to Israeli officials. International law does not impose direct obligations on corporations. However, the Government encourages British companies to show respect for human rights in their operations in the UK and internationally. On 21 April 2013, G4S publicly confirmed that they would not renew a number of security contracts in the West Bank ‘to ensure that G4S Israel business practices remain in line with our own business ethics policy’. These include the servicing of security equipment at Ofer Military Prison, at West Bank checkpoints and at a police station in the contentious E-1 area of Jerusalem.

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