http://msanews.mynet.net/MSANEWS/199912/19991209.13.html
Israel still uses torture against detainees
Press release, The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group,
Email: admin@phrmg.org,
Jerusalem December 9, 1999
Three Palestinian prisoners tortured despite the Israeli High Court
decision
Three young Palestinian men from Bethlehem have been severely tortured
in the Russian Compound prison in Jerusalem, despite the ruling of the
Israeli High Court in September 1999 to abandon the practice of torture
against detainees.
The ruling of the High Court said that the use of various interrogation
techniques by the General Security Service (GSS) was illegal, including
torture or ill-treating detainees during interrogation. The
international community and local human rights organisations welcomed
this decision as a great step forward.
Following the High Court ruling, the GSS reportedly ceased using
torture. Unfortunately, it is now clear that the decision is not at all
implemented by the GSS.
Mohammed Ali Hameid Souman, 17 years from Braitha'a, al-Ta'amreh in
Bethlehem, was arrested in his home on August 24 1999 and taken to the
Russian Compound prison in Jerusalem, where he was interrogated for 55
days. The first 25 days he was tortured severely. They covered his head
with a dirty bag, and forced him to sit in painful positions (Shabeh)
for long periods of time. Further, they forced him into a very small and
narrow cupboard where he could not move at all. The torture made
Mohammed to confess to charges of trying to purchase guns, throwing
stones and being a member of the Islamic Jihad movement. His lawyer was
not allowed to meet Mohammad until 40 days after his arrest.
Ali Issa al-Wahsh, 20 years from al-Ta'amreh, Bethlehem, was also
arrested at his home the night of August 24 1999, and taken first to
`Atzion and then transferred to the Russian Compound prison in
Jerusalem. He was interrogated here for 70 days, being beaten and
tortured severely. He was not allowed to use the toilet for some days,
and his health deteriorated. He was not taken to hospital. As a result
of the torture, Ali confessed that he was a member of Islamic Jihad,
possessing and dealing with weapons. His trial will take place on
December 16 1999.
Ra'ed Ahmad Salem al-Hamri, 19 years from Braitha'a, al-Ta'amreh in
Bethlehem, was arrested from his home on August 21 1999. He spent the
first night in ?Atzion and was then taken to the Russian Compound where
he spent 62 days in interrogation. He was beaten and tortured, they put
burning cigarettes on his body and forced him to sit in painful
positions (Shabeh). During the interrogation he was hospitalized at
"Pikur Holem" on September 22, 1999 because his health deteriorated
badly during the detention. They accused him of membership in Islamic
groups, of dealing with weapons and throwing stones. As a result of the
torture, he confessed to the charges.
The Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group (PHRMG) collected the
testimonies of the three boys through their fathers and their lawyers.
Israel signed the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment in October 1991. The PHRMG strongly
oppose the sustained use of torture against detainees in Israeli
prisons. This practice is also in breach of various other international
treaties, such as the International covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Celebrating the Human Rights Day 1999 tomorrow, the Palestinian Human
Rights Monitoring Group (PHRMG) find this practice a great step backward
for the situation for human rights in Israel. We call for the immediate
implementation of the Israeli High Court ruling from September 1999.
