The United Nations has called on the Palestinian Authority to immediately end the arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment of Palestinians held for “security” reasons in the occupied West Bank, including journalists, political opponents and activists.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory said Palestinian authorities had continued to arbitrarily or unlawfully deprive dozens of Palestinians of their liberty.
According to the office, many detainees are reportedly being held under a law that the Palestinian Supreme Constitutional Court previously ruled unconstitutional.
The UN also said it had gathered information indicating that several male detainees, including children, remained in the custody of Palestinian security forces despite court orders requiring their release.
The statement said detainees in Palestinian detention facilities had reported being subjected to torture and other forms of ill-treatment, including being forced into painful stress positions, severe beatings, flogging and prolonged solitary confinement.
Many of those alleging torture described being suspended in a position known as shabeh, in which their hands are tied behind their backs and they are hung from their wrists for days at a time.
While acknowledging that the Palestinian authorities have worked closely with the UN Human Rights Office in recent years and made some progress, including introducing legal reforms and strengthening cooperation with the UN Committee against Torture, the office said much more remains to be done to safeguard the rights and dignity of Palestinian detainees.
“The Palestinian authorities must immediately end all forms of torture and other ill-treatment of detainees, as well as all forms of arbitrary or unlawful detention,” the UN said. “Persons deprived of their liberty must be treated humanely and with respect for their inherent dignity.”
The UN added that detainees should be allowed regular access to fresh air, provided with adequate living space to prevent overcrowding, and guaranteed sufficient food, medical care, clothing, sanitation and hygienic conditions. It also stressed that detainees must have the right to challenge the legality of their detention before a court.
The UN further urged the Palestinian authorities to carry out prompt, thorough, independent, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of torture and ill-treatment and hold those responsible accountable.
To prevent future violations, the UN called on the Palestinian government to fulfil its commitments under the National Committee Against Torture and the UN Convention against Torture, including establishing an independent national preventive mechanism authorised to conduct regular visits to places of detention.
