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Palestinian detainees subjected to arbitrary detention, torture, says UN

July 31, 2024 at 12:35 pm

Palestinians who were detained during theIsraeli army attacks on Shifa Hospital are brought to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital for treatment after their release in Deir Al Balah, Gaza on March 24, 2024 [Ashraf Amra – Anadolu Agency]

The UN Human Rights Office published a report today regarding the arbitrary, prolonged and incommunicado detention of thousands of Palestinians by the Israeli authorities since October last year, revealing severe allegations of torture and mistreatment, Anadolu has reported.

Thousands of Palestinians, including medical staff, patients, residents fleeing conflict and captured resistance fighters, have been taken from Gaza to Israel, often shackled and blindfolded, said the UN report. Many more have been detained in the West Bank and Israel without being given reasons for their detention, access to lawyers or judicial review, the document stressed.

“The staggering number of men, women, children, doctors, journalists and human rights defenders detained since 7 October, most of them without charge or trial and held in deplorable conditions, along with reports of ill-treatment and torture and violation of due process guarantees, raises serious concerns regarding the arbitrariness and the fundamentally punitive nature of such arrests and detention,” commented UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk.

The report detailed horrifying testimonies of detainees subjected to acts like waterboarding, prolonged blindfolding, deprivation of food and water, electric shocks and sexual violence.

“The testimonies gathered by my Office and other entities indicate a range of appalling acts, including the release of dogs on detainees, amongst other acts, in flagrant violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law,” explained Turk.

The Israeli authorities have acknowledged investigations into soldiers’ alleged abuse of a Palestinian prisoner earlier this month, but have provided little information on the fate of many detainees or allowed the International Committee of the Red Cross access to detention facilities.

Conditions in military-run detention facilities are reportedly dire, with detainees, including children, “held in cage-like facilities, stripped naked, wearing only diapers,” deprived of basic necessities, and subjected to physical and psychological abuse, including “being subjected to electric shocks and being burnt with cigarettes.”

The report also criticised the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority for “arbitrary detention and torture” in the West Bank, primarily to suppress dissent.

“International humanitarian law protects all those being held, requiring their humane treatment and protection against all acts of violence or threats thereof,” said Turk. “International law requires that all those deprived of their liberty be treated with humanity and dignity, and it strictly prohibits torture or other ill-treatment, including rape and other forms of sexual violence.” Secret, prolonged incommunicado detention may also amount to a form of torture, he added.

The official reiterated calls for the immediate release of all hostages held in Gaza and for the release of all Palestinians arbitrarily detained by Israel. He underscored the need for independent investigations into all serious violations of international law and accountability for the perpetrators.

At least 39,400 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s genocidal offensive in the Gaza Strip, mostly children and women, and 91,000 others have been wounded. An estimated 10,000 remain missing, presumed dead, under the rubble of their homes destroyed by Israeli bombs.

Over nine months into the Israeli war, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice in a case brought by South Africa. The occupation state denies the charge.

READ: Hamas calls for int’l probe into Israel violations against detainees