Ref: 130/2007
Date: 01 October 2007
Time: 11:00 GMT
PCHR Condemns Continued Torture by Security Forces in the West Bank
PCHR condemns the continued of detainees during detention and interrogation by Palestinian security forces in the West Bank. The Centre reiterates the call to the Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, and the government in Ramallah to stop these illegal acts and to prosecute the perpetrators.
The latest documentation of these incidents by the Centre indicate that the detainee Rasem Khattab Hasan Mostafa (30) from Nablus was transferred to Rafedia Hospital in the city as a result of torture by interrogators from the Military Intelligence Service in Nablus.
The Center’s preliminary investigation and the victim’s mother’s testimony indicate that at approximately 17:00 on Sunday, 30 September 2007, Rasem’s brother received a call from an unknown person informing him that his brother was transferred to Rafedia Hospital in Nablus. The mother also stated that people who saw their son in the hospital informed them that their son was brought to the hospital tied to a stretcher with a sack covering his head. At about 1:00 on Monday, 1 October 2007, the mother headed to the hospital to visit her son. She informed the Center’s fieldworker that her son was in a separate room on the 3rd floor with 4 armed guards at the door. The guards prevented her from visiting him. After insisting, they allowed her to look at him through the door. She stated that she saw beating marks on his head, his hand tied to the bed, his face pale, and that he was clearly fatigued.
It is noted that the Military Intelligence Service detained Rasem on Wednesday, 26 September 2007 from the Andaleeb Nursing School in the Women’s Union Hospital in Nablus. The Center’s preliminary investigation into the incident indicates that civilian-clothed gunmen raided the college and arrested Rasem. The gunmen did not identify themselves, and did not refer to the college administration. They simply asked about Rasem and asked him to come with them. When Rasem’s colleagues identified one of the gunmen as a security officer, they attempted to prevent the detention. One of the gunmen fired in the college grounds to disperse students. Rasem was taken to an undisclosed location. Hamas sources indicate that Rasem is one of its activists who was deported to the Gaza Strip during Al-Aqsa Intifada.
In light of these circumstances, PCHR:
– Strongly condemns the use of torture, and calls upon the Attorney-General to investigate these incidents, prosecute the perpetrators, and taking effective steps to prevent their recurrence.
– Reminds that torture is outlawed by Palestinian Law, and does not fall by seniority; and that torture is a serious violation of human rights and international human rights standards, including the UN Convention against Torture.
– Affirms that arrests are regulated by Palestinian Law and are the authority of law-enforcement parties, represented by the civilian police under orders and supervision of the Attorney-General.
