UN expert demands ‘Israel’ probe troops’ torture of Palestinians

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 May 2024 03:20
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The UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Jill Edwards has urged Israeli authorities to investigate cases in which Palestinian detainees were subjected to torture or ill-treatment.

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After being blindfolded, a Palestinian man is detained by Israeli occupation forces during a raid in the West Bank city of Jenin, occupied Palestine, on May 23, 2024 (AP)

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Alice Jill Edwards compelled on Thursday the Israeli occupation to launch an investigation into multiple accounts of torture and other inhumane or degrading treatment of Palestinians in Israeli custody since October 7, 2023.

"The Israeli authorities must investigate all complaints and reports of torture or ill-treatment promptly, impartially, effectively and transparently," Edwards said.

"Those responsible at all levels, including commanders, must be held accountable, while victims have a right to reparation and compensation," she added.

Edwards reported receiving multiple accounts of Palestinians from the West Bank being subjected to beating, blindfolding, handcuffing, sleep deprivation, and threats of physical and sexual violence in Israeli prisons. She highlighted additional reports of prisoners being insulted, humiliated, and filmed in degrading poses, with some suffering wounds from prolonged use of zip-tie handcuffs.

"I am particularly concerned that this emerging pattern of violations, coupled with an absence of accountability and transparency, is creating a permissive environment for further abusive and humiliating treatment of Palestinians," Edwards stated.

Multiple international organizations blast 'Israel' for treatment of prisoners

Earlier, in April, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini accused Israel of subjecting thousands of Palestinians detained in the Gaza Strip to inhumane treatment, including stripping them naked and threatening them with dogs.

In January, Ajith Sunghay, head of the OHCHR Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, reported that several thousand Palestinians had been secretly detained in the Gaza Strip since October 7 and subjected to cruel treatment.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) revealed in December that it had not been granted access to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody since October 7, despite being ready to resume regular visits. Meanwhile, the Palestinian movement Hamas has repeatedly called on the ICRC to investigate these allegations of inhuman treatment.