[Volokh] David Bernstein: Amnesty-Gaza Update:

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Posted by David Bernstein:
Amnesty-Gaza Update:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_09_28-2008_10_04.shtml#1222691836


   [1]Back in August, I noted [2]allegations that Amnesty International
   had sent out a press release condemning an official Israeli report on
   a shooting death in Gaza, apparently without having actually seen the
   report. I added:

     Early yesterday morning, I emailed Amnesty's press contact for the
     Middle East, Nicole Choueiry, and introduced myself as blogger for
     the Volokh Conspiracy. I forwarded the NGO Watch link, and asked if
     she "could confirm or deny that Amnesty wrote its press release
     without having access to the full report the Israeli army made on
     the incident?" I also asked "whether the basis for the underlying
     press release by Amnesty was a specific critique of the Israeli
     report on the incident, or was part of a general critique of Israel
     for not conducting independent investigations of civilian deaths in
     Gaza." (In other words, would Amnesty automatically condemn any
     report, no matter how thorough, issued by the Israeli army, because
     it was issued by the Israeli army). A few hours later Ms. Choueiry
     responded that she would get back to me with a detailed response
     shortly. I haven't heard back, but will let readers know if and
     when I do.

   Ms. Choueiry never did get back to me, which I take as an implicit
   acknowledgment that Amnesty condemned the Israeli report without
   having seen it. I had reason to be suspicious of Amnesty's reports
   from the West Bank and Gaza before, but at this point I think it's
   fair to discount them entirely, at least until Amnesty replaces its
   local staff.

References

   1. http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2008_08_17-2008_08_23.shtml#1219422016
   2. http://www.ngo-monitor.org/article/hrw_amnesty_and_the_reuters_cameraman_incident