Award-winning Israeli documentary-maker David Benchetrit has been brutally attacked on 21 April in front of the defence ministry in Tel Aviv. Benchetrit, who is currently making a film about "refuzniks"- Israeli soldiers, who as conscientious objectors refuse to serve in the Palestinian territories - was attacked on his way to a meeting with defence ministry spokesperson Ruth Yaron. The attack has left him unable to walk for six months.
His wife, Sini Bar David, described what happened: "He was waiting on the pavement opposite the ministry when a security guard approached him and ordered him to identify himself, then struck him when he did not comply quickly enough." Three more security staff then appeared and rained blows on him with their fists and butts of their guns.
Reporters without Borders and the Human Rights Film Network sent letters to the Defence Minister Shaul Mofaz, demanding a "swift and full investigation to find and punish those responsible for this unacceptable violence." Last year Benchetrits award winning documentary 'Kaddim Winds' was showcased at the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival. More information.
The sixth Amnesty International Film Festival has shown the best of recent international films based human rights and human dignity between 312 March and 4 April. The festival included discussion and talk shows where film makers, human rights activists and the general public exchanged ideas and opinions.
Every year during the International Documentary Filmfestival Amsterdam (IDFA) and the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), an international jury presents the Amnesty International - DOEN Award. This is the human rights film award of Amnesty International and Foundation DOEN.
Recent human rights films from or about Asia can be seen during the Cinemasia Film Festival between 24-28 March. For more information consult the website.
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Its History, Principles and Practices
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