Ref: 98/2007
Date: 20 August 2007
Time: 12:00 GMT
PCHR Calls for an Investigation into the Torture and Beating of Detainees
PCHR calls for an investigation into the torture and beating of a number of Palestinians from al-Daraj neighborhood in the east of Gaza City during their detention by the Executive Force, and the torture and beating of a police officer by the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades in Rafah.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 21:30 on Friday, 17 August 2007, the Executive Force arrested 7 residents of al-Daraj neighborhood in Gaza City:
1. Hamdan Kamal al-‘Amassi, 50, secretary of Fatah movement in al-Daraj;2. Eyad Hamdan al-‘Amassi, 21;3. Mohammed ‘Izzat al-‘Amassi, 19;4. Mahmoud ‘Aadel al-Qumo’, 22;5. Mohammed ‘Aadel al-Qumo’, 25; 6. Ahmad ‘Ali al-‘Ammassi (20); and7. Nahed Hamada al-Nounou, 42, a UNDP engineer.
They were arrested because of a verbal argument between Hamdan al-‘Amassi and Hamas activists inside the office of Fatah movement, which is adjacent to the al-Mughrabi Mosque in al-Daraj neighborhood, when al-‘Amassi tried to prevent members of Hamas from playing ping pong on the second floor of the mosque following the evening prayer. A few minutes later, the Executive Force arrived at the scene and arrested some people involved in the argument. Some of the detainees were taken from their homes. They were taken to the Executive Force compound in al-Shoja’eya neighborhood. At approximately 1:00 on Saturday, 18 August 2007, the Executive Force released Hamdan al-‘Ammasi. The other detainees were released on Saturday afternoon.
Some of the detainees informed PCHR’s staff that they were beaten, tortured, and subjected to degrading treatment, including cutting their hair. The detainees expressed astonishment that they were interrogated for alleged collaboration with Israel and immoral acts, although they were arrested because of the verbal argument between al-‘Amassi and members of Hamas. One of the detainees stated to PCHR, that he was interrogated about a quarrel that erupted between members of Fatah movement and those of Hamas in al-Daraj neighborhood in 1995. Another detainee stated that he was summoned for witnessing, but he was interrogated. He was even accused of collaboration with Israeli Occupation Forces. He added that he was violently beaten for an hour and a half. A third detainee stated that members of the Executive Force violently beat him and other detainees using cudgels and chains and their hair was cut. He added that he was violently beaten on his feet and face sporadically over 10 hours. PCHR’s staff witnessed signs of torture on the bodies of a number of detainees. The Executive Force ordered the detainees to sign a letter of commitment to pay a fine of 5,000 New Israeli Shekels (approximately US$ 1,175) if they hamper Hamas members.
On Saturday, 18 August 2007, Yasser ‘Ouda Jom’a Abu Shabab, 37, a police officer from al-Shaboura refugee camp in Rafah, was abducted, interrogated and violently beaten by members of the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas. According to Abu Shabab, masked militants from the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades stopped him at approximately 00:20 when he was walking nearly 100 meters away from his house in al-Shaboura refugee camp in Rafah. They forced him into their vehicle, handcuffed him and took him to an unknown destination. They interrogated him about his organizational relation with his brother ‘Arafat, an activist of Fatah movement, he added. During the interrogation which was conducted in 4 rounds, Abu Shabab stated, he was violently beaten and lost consciousness. In one of the rounds of interrogation, Abu Shabab added, they placed him on the ground and stepped onto his chest and back. They also violently beat him on his feet. In the third round, as Abu Shabab told PCHR, he lost consciousness, and in the fourth round, he bled from the feet and felt sick. Also during the interrogation, the militants poured water on his feet and on the ground. Abu Shabab was released at approximately 04:00 on Saturday, and he was dumped near his house. His family immediately evacuated him to the hospital. Signs of torture on his body were clear to a PCHR field worker who interviewed him.
PCHR strongly condemns these actions, and:
1. Calls for an immediate investigation into these attacks, prosecuting the perpetrators and taking steps to prevent their recurrence.
2. Reminds that torture is outlawed by Palestinian Law, and is a serious human rights violation under international human rights instruments, especially the Convention against Torture and other forms of Cruel, Inhumane, or Degrading Treatment (1984). 3. Stresses that arrests under the Palestinian Law are the mandate of judicial warranty officials represented by the civilian police, working under the instruction and supervision of the Attorney-General.
4. Condemns illegal arrests by the ‘Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades and calls for immediately stopping such actions.
