Addameer Stands in Solidarity with Palestinian Victims of Torture

United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2010

Ramallah, 24 June 2010

As the United Nations and the world commemorates the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June 2010, Addameer stands in solidarity with Palestinians prisoners who have suffered the devastating effects of torture and ill treatment, and unequivocally condemns all forms of such treatment in Israeli and Palestinian prisons, interrogation facilities and detention centers.

The right to be free from torture is a fundamental and non-derogable right, guaranteed to all human beings, regardless of detention status. As a state-party to the most essential conventions and treaties protecting this right, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and especially, the United Nations Convention Against Torture,(1) Israel is under unquestionable international legal obligation to ensure that all prisoners are free from torture, and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.(2)
Moreover, a series of 1999 holdings by the Israeli High Court placed some restrictions on the harsh and tortuous interrogation tactics prevalent throughout the detention system, stating that physical means of interrogation that are not “reasonable and fair” and that cause the detainee to suffer are illegal.(3)
Nevertheless, despite the international and domestic legal restrictions on prison and detention authorities, Addameer continues to document an alarming number of cases of torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, from their arrest to their interrogation and throughout their detention. Since the United Nations commemorated its last Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June 2009, Addameer has documented an astonishing number of egregious violations, particularly against women, children and administrative detainees. Numerous other human rights organizations, including the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel(4) and Defense of Children International – Palestine Section,(5) have also documented an alarming number of cases of torture and ill-treatment in recent months.
Although the use of torture and ill-treatment is routine among Palestinians arrested by Israel, a few recent cases include:

• Loai Sati Mohammad Ashqar, 33, an administrative detainee forced to suffer days on end in the stress position known as the “banana” position, in which the detainee is shackled while bent backwards over a chair. Three of Loai’s vertebrates were broken due to this torture, and due to further negligence by prison officials, his condition led to complete paralysis of his left leg. Loai must spend the rest of his life confined to a wheelchair.(6)
• Nelli Zahi As’ad Sa’id As-Safadi, 33, a female administrative detainee, was also forced to endure painful stress positions, as well as sleep deprivation and threats of further physical and psychological abuse. Israeli interrogators routinely used Nelli’s family members as a means of psychological torture, going so far as to arrest her mother-in-law, 67, and her young nephew.(7)
• Moatasem Raed Younis Muzher, 17, also an administrative detainee, was subjected to psychological ill-treatment with constant threats of being sent to Moskobiyyeh, an interrogation center in Jerusalem notorious for its torture of Palestinians.(8)
• Hassan Yousef Hassan Dabak, 29, (see Hassans case) in addition to being subjected to harsh interrogation tactics for weeks on end, was deliberately thrown down the stairs by his interrogators while he was blindfolded and his hands and feet were shackled. Unable to catch himself or brace his fall, Hassan landed with the brunt of the force of the fall on his left side and cracked his pelvis.(9)

Moreover, Addameer remains extremely concerned with the recent deaths of Raed Muhammad Ahmad Hammad in Israeli detention on 16 April 2010 and Muhammad Abdul Salam Abdeen in Ramleh Prison on 10 June 2010. Full investigative reports into the cause of death have not been issued in either case. Addameer demands that Israeli authorities permit an independent body to conduct the full and necessary inquiries that their families deserve.
Additionally, Addameer condemns the increased prevalence of torture in Palestinian Authority prisons and detention centers, particularly against political prisoners, as well as the recent executions by Palestinian authorities in the Gaza Strip and urges all Palestinian authorities to denounce these devastating practices and to employ their own standards aligned with international law.
In summary, to commemorate this June 26 and to truly stand in solidarity with all Palestinian victims of torture, Addameer urges In Kofi Annan’s words, “take action to defeat torture and torturers everywhere.”(10)
Addameer therefore strongly urges the international community, particularly including the United Nations and relevant bodies and agencies, as well as all UN Member States to take note of these appalling practices and:

• Immediately intervene with  Israeli and Palestinian authorities and pressure both to adhere to their international legal obligations.
• Support the creation of independent monitoring and investigation of all cases of torture and ill-treatment by Israeli and Palestinian authorities; and
• Follow individual cases of torture and ill-treatment against Palestinian prisoners and detainees and raise these cases with the relevant authorities.

Addameer further demands that the Israeli and Palestinian authorities:

• Immediately halt all use of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment as is unequivocally required by international law;
• Promptly and effectively investigate all allegations of torture and ill-treatment, and ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted and, if applicable, appropriate penalties are imposed; and,
• Incorporate torture as defined in article 1 of the Convention Against Torture as a crime under both Israeli and Palestinian domestic legislation.

Finally, Addameer encourages individuals to take action in defense of all Palestinian prisoners, particularly including those subjected to torture and ill-treatment by Israeli and Palestinian authorities by:

• Writing letters to prisoners in detention. While we request that you send the personal letters directly to the prison facilities, please copy Addameer at info@addameer.ps so that we can keep track of the letters of support. You may also contact Addameer directly to organize an educational event and/or presentation on Palestinian prisoners.
• Contact the Israeli and Palestinian authorities to demand an immediate cessation of all prohibited methods of treatment, and accountability for all cases of torture and ill-treatment.
• Contact your own elected officials and urge them to intervene with Israel and the Palestinian authorities on this important subject.

—-
1 The United Nations selected 26 June as its International Day in Support of Victims of Torture to mark the day that the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment ratified by the necessary number of states and came into effect – 26 June 1987.
2 Universal Declaration of Human Rights art. 5 (1948); International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights art. 7 (1976); Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1987).
3 HCJ 5100/94 Pub. Comm. Against Torture in Isr. v. Israel [1999] IsrSC 53(4) 817.
4 See generally, website of the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (available at: http://www.stoptorture.org.il/en).
5 See Defense of Children International – Palestine Section, DCI-Palestine submits 50 cases of ill-treatment to the UN Committee Against Torture, 7 June 2010 (available at: http://www.dci-pal.org/english/display.cfm?DocId=1510&CategoryId=1).
6 Loai Sati Mohammad Ashqar profile, http://addameer.info/?p=1630 (last visited 23 June 2010).
7 Nelli Zahi As’as Sa’id As-Safadi profile, http://addameer.info/?p=1606 (last visited 23 June 2010).
8 Moatasem Raed Younis Muzher profile, http://addameer.info/?p=1668 (last visited 23 June 2010).
9 Hassan Yusef Hassan Dabak profile, http://addameer.info/?p=1748 (last visited 24 June 2010).
10 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, http://www.un.org/events/torture/bkg.htm (last visited 23 June 2010).

PCHR weekly report 17/6 - 23/6/2010

PCHR weekly report 17/6 - 23/6/2010

At least 800 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half years. 

In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

- Israeli forces arrested 43 Palestinian civilians, including 5 children.

- 28 of these civilians were arrested in Deir Samer village near Hebron.

Thursday, 17 June 2010  


At approximately 01:30, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Mazen Hassn al-Danbak, 34. It should be noted that al-Danbak had been released from Israeli jails on 18 May 2010. 

At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into 'Obwin village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Abdul Qader Hamed Mzahem, 21, and arrested him. 

Friday, 18 June 2010  

  
At approximately 04:00, Israeli forces moved into Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mohammed Hamed 'Omar Hamed, 17, and arrested him.

Sunday, 20 June 2010   


At approximately 03:00, Israeli forces moved into Nablus. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested six Palestinian civilians, including three children:

1. Tariq Fat'hi Abu Ghoush, 17;

2. Nidal Ahmed al-Zagha, 18;

3. Ra'ed Sami Hamdan, 18;

4. ;Imad Mousa Marahil, 19;

5. Ziad Mohammed al-Basha, 17; and

6. 'Imad al-Din Ahmed Halawa, 16.

According to families of the detainees, Israeli troops violently beat their sons before their eyes. They also harassed the families during this operation.  

Tuesday, 22 June 2010

· At approximately 00:30, Israeli forces moved into Deir Samet village, southwest of Hebron. They attacked a number of houses and detonated sound bombs near them, especially those belonging to the extended family of 'Ali Hassan al-'Adam. According to al-'Adam and his son, 21-year-old Hamza, at approximately 03:30, Israeli forces moved into Ghannam quarter in the east of the village. They attacked al-'Adams' two-storey house, blowing up the door of the first floor and firing at the house and the roof while some members of the family were sleeping there. Soon after, Israeli troops broke into the house and violently beat three of al-'Adam's sons: Mousa, 30; Bahaa' al-Din, 25; and Hamza, 21. They also arrested the first two sons and damaged the house. Additionally, Israeli forces raided and searched a number of houses in the village and arrested 25 Palestinian civilians:

1. Eyad Mahmoud al-Hroub;

2. Mousa 'Ali al-'Adam;

3. Mohammed Mahmoud al-Hroub;

4. Khalil Mohammed al-Hroub;

5. 'Ali Younis al-Hroub;

6. Mohammed Jasser al-Hroub;

7. Amjad Jasser al-Hroub;

8. Bahaa' 'Ali al-Hroub;

9. Mousa 'Ali al-Hroub;

10. Saber Mohammed al-Hroub;

11. Ahmed Mohammed al-Hroub;

12. Tawfiq 'Abdul Fattah al-Hroub;

13. 'Eissa Ahmed al-Hroub;

14. Mahmoud Hussein al-Hroub;

15. Isma'il Hussein al-Hroub;

16. Mohammed Isma'il al-Hroub;

17. Mahmoud Isma'il al-Hroub;

18. 'Abdullah Isma'il al-Hroub;

19. Ra'ed 'Eissa al-Hroub;

20. Hani 'Eissa al-Hroub;

21. Mohammed 'Eissa al-Hroub;

22. Jihad 'Eissa al-Hroub;

23. Bilal 'Eissa al-Hroub;

24. Shihda Mohammed al-Masalma; and

25. Mohammed Mohammed Masalma. 

· At approximately 02:00, Israeli forces moved into Zabbouba village, northwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and delivered summons to 7 Palestinian civilians. 

  

PCHR weekly report 10/6 - 16/6/2010

extracts from PCHR weekly report 10/6 - 16/6/2010

 At least 800 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than two and a half years. 

In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

 IOF arrested 29 Palestinian civilians, including 8 children.

IOF summoned a 7-year-old child for interrogation. 

Thursday, 10 June 2010

· At approximately 00:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested two Palestinian children:

1. 'Eissa Kamel Bahar, 16; and

2. Sameer 'Aamer Abu Maria, 15.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF raided and searched a house belonging to Ahmed Khalil Abu Hashem, 43, Secretary of the Public Committee against Settlement and the Wall in Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. According to Abu Hashem, at approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Khillat al-Barahish area in the south of Beit Ummar village. At approximately 02:15, they threw stones at the windows and doors of Abu Hashem's house. They also detonated sound bombs in the vicinity of the house and called on Abu Hashem through megaphones to move to his roof with his hand up. When he and his wife got up the roof, they forced him to uncover the upper part of his body and to return to the house and awaken the 11 other residents of the house. IOF forced the residents out of the house and questioned them until 04:45. According to Abu Hashem, this house raid was the tenth of its kind in the past 2 months. Before raiding Abu Hashem's house, IOF had raided 4 houses, including 2 belonging to his brothers. During these house raids, IOF violently beat Abu Hashem's nephew, 16-year-old Sakher.

  

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into 'Aanin village, west of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Ahmed Fat'hi Mansour, 19.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Dura village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

· At approximately 06:30, IOF moved into al-Mazra'a village, northwest of Ramallah. They patrolled in the streets and arrested Yousef Mohammed Shraiteh, 15, but released him in the afternoon. 

Monday, 14 June 2010

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian children:

1. 'Anan Mohammed Bahar, 16;

2. Mo'ayad Jawad Bahar, 17; and

3. Mohammed 'Ali Abu Maria, 17. 

Tuesday, 15 June 2010

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Qarawat Bani Hassan village, northwest of Salfit. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Hamza Mahmoud Rayan, 26.

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Isma'il Khader Masalma, 17, and arrested him. 

· Also at approximately 01:00, IOF moved into al-Duhaisha refugee camp, south of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to Fa'eq Mahmoud Hajajla, 52, and summoned him for interrogation. 

 Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into 'Anabta village, east of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1. Safwan Nazeeh Melhem, 22; and

2. Ahmed Fat'hallah Jadallah, 22. 

At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Shwaika suburb, north of Tulkarm. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Aadel Mohammed Qaddouha, 20.

Wednesday, 16 June 2010

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Alaa' Mahmoud Slaibi, 20, and Mohammed Sameer Abu Maria, 22. They also summoned 7-year-old Mohsen Yousef 'Awadh for interrogation. According to local sources, at least 90 Palestinian civilians have been arrested by IOF in the village since the beginning of this year. In the Hebron district, IOF have arrested 470 Palestinian civilians, including 90 children and 4 women, since the beginning of this year.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Wd al-Hariya neighborhood in Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested Fahed Majed Abu Sbaih, 23.

PCHR weekly report 3/6 - 9/6/2010: 22 arrested including 4 children, 3 Israelis

extracts from PCHR weekly report 3/6 - 9/6/2010

At least 800 Palestinian prisoners from Gaza in Israeli jails have been deprived of family visitation for more than 2 and a half years. 

 In recognition of ICRC as the guardian of the Fourth Geneva Convention, PCHR calls upon the ICRC to increase its staff and activities in the OPT, including the facilitation of family visitations to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

- IOF arrested 22 civilians, including 4 children.

- Among the detainees were 6 human rights defenders, including 3 Israeli ones. 


 Following the Friday Prayer on 04 June 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest against the construction of the Annexation Wall in Bil'ein village, west of Ramallah.  [...]

IOF also arrested 3 demonstrators:

1. Howaida 'Arraf;

2. Eilan Shalif, 72; and

3. Ashraf Abu Rahma, 29.

'Arraf and Shalif were released later, while Abu Rahma remained in custody. 

Sunday, 06 June 2010

· At approximately 03:30, IOF moved into Beit Reema village, northwest of Ramallah. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Alichandro Tariq al-Barghouthi, 16, and arrested him. They also raided and searched a house belonging to the family of 'Abdul Qader 'Abed al-Barghouthi, 16, and arrested him.

Monday, 07 June 2010

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians, including a child:

1. Tamer Isma'il 'Awadh, 23;

2. Saif Rabeeh Bahar, 26; and

3. Wassim Jamal Wahadin, 15.

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into al-'Arroub refugee camp, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 3 Palestinian civilians:

1. 'Ali Jamal al-Badawi, 18;

2. Nour Ahmed al-Badawi, 19; and

3. Ahmed Haitham al-Badawi, 18. 

· At approximately 01:00, IOF moved into Beit Ummar village, north of Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 2 Palestinian civilians:

1. 'Odai Nidal Bahar, 17; and

2. Mahmoud Sa'id Bahar, 20.

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Hebron. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 'Imad 'Aziz al-Ashqar, 25. 

· Also at approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Za'tara village, east of Bethlehem. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Mahmoud Hassan Zawahra, and summoned him for interrogation.

· At approximately 02:00, IOF moved into Kharsa village, southwest of Hebron. They raided and searched a house belonging to the family of Saleem Yousef al-Rajoub, who is detained in Israeli jails. No arrests were reported. 

 At approximately 03:00, IOF moved into Ya'bad village, southwest of Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses, and also stopped and checked Palestinian civilians following the Dawn Prayer and arrested Shareef 'Amarna, 26. 

Wednesday, 09 June 2010

· At approximately 01:30, IOF moved into Jenin. They raided and searched a number of houses and arrested 4 Palestinian civilians:

1. Mohammed Hisham al-Sa'di, 26;

2. Tariq Khalil 'Ejjawi, 22;

3. Mohammed Hisham Abu Tabeekh, 26; and

4. Islam Ameen Staiti, 24. 

On Wednesday morning, 09 June 2010, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international and Israeli human rights defenders organized a peaceful demonstration in protest to the construction of the Annexation Wall in al-Walaja village, northwest of Bethlehem. IOF attacked the demonstration and arrested Dr. Mazen Qamsiya, Director of the Palestinian Centre for Rapprochement Between People, and 2 Israeli human rights defenders: Shai Ghalatzi; and Yutam Wolf. 

Extensive Report on Palestinian Detainees In Israeli Prisons

Wednesday June 09, 2010 12:03 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

The head of the Palestinian Ministry Of Detainees' Census Department , Abdul-Nasser Farawna, who is himself a former detainee, stated that Israel has arrested around 700,000 Palestinians since June 1967. That figure includes tens of thousands of children and over 10,000 women.

Farawna also stated that 198 Palestinians died due to torture, medical negligence, while some of them were shot and killed by their arresting officers. Hundreds of detainees died after they were released due to health issues related to their arrest and torture.

The researcher added that the army does not target a specific segment of the society as the illegal arrests target women, children, elderly, students, lawyers, doctors and workers, and that most of the kidnapped Palestinians were tortured.

Approximately 420,000 Palestinians were kidnapped by the army in the period between 1967 and the beginning of the first Intifada in 1987.

The army also conducted 210,000 arrests during the years of the first Intifada, between December 1987 and 1994.

The arrests rate dropped after the Oslo peace agreement of 1994 until September 2000, as Israel conducted 1,700 arrests each year.

But after the second Intifada started in late September 2000 until this day, the army carried more than 70,000 arrests with a rate of 7,000 arrests each year.

Farawna said that there are several factors that affect the increase or decrease in the numbers of arrests as the security situation, and the direct presence of the army in the Palestinian territories affects the number of arrests.

The Palestinian researcher further stated that 198 Palestinians died in Israeli prison, detention and interrogation centers. Most of the detainees died due to torture and lack of medical attention.

73 detainees (36.9%) died in the period between 1967 until December 8, 1987. 42 (21.2%) detainees died in Israeli prisons during the first Intifada in the period between December 8 and mid 1994.

Eight detainees died in Israeli prisons in the period between 1994 until the second Intifada that started in September 2000.

75 detainees (37.9%) died during the al-Aqsa Intifada. 50 of them died having not received adequate medical attention in Israeli prisons, and 7 died due to excessive use of force against them in prisons; this includes the army’s use of lethal fire against them in prison.

These figures do not include hundreds of detainees who died after they were released as they became sick in prison.

Farawna further stated that arrests are still ongoing, and the conditions in Israeli prisons are becoming worse than before, while the number of sick detainees is increasing, including dozens who have serious diseases and health conditions.

Furthermore, Farawna said that the violations against the detainees are escalating, and voiced an appeal to human rights groups to intervene in order to put an end to the ongoing violations carried out by Israel against the detainees and their internationally guaranteed rights.