Ref: 38/2009
Date: 18 March 2009
Time: 11:30 GMT
PCHR Demands Investigation into the Death of a Civilian Detained and Tortured by Security Services in Rafah
The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) demands an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Zayed ‘Ayesh Mabrouq Jaradat, 40, from al-Shoka village in the east of Rafah, who had been tortured by members of the security service during his detention by police in Rafah. PCHR calls for the results of any investigation to be made available to the public, and for the perpetrators to be prosecuted and brought to justice.
According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 15:00pm on Monday, 16 March 2009, Zayed Jaradat was pronounced dead on arrival at Martyr Mohammed Yousif al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah city. The body was then transferred to the forensic department at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City for further examination. Jaradat had been arrested by members of the police in the morning of Monday 15 March 2009. Police sources told PCHR that Jaradat had been detained in al-Quds Girls’ Secondary School, near al-‘Awda Square in the centre of Rafah. The police have been using the school as their headquarters since Israeli warplanes destroyed Rafah police station during their latest offensive on Gaza. According to the police sources, Jaradat was arrested on charges of drug possession.
A PCHR field worker, who visited the forensic department at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, and took photographs of the body, witnessed traces of bruising throughout the body. The bruises were concentrated in the area around the neck and shoulders. The PCHR field worker also reported that Jaradat’s toenails had been removed. This indicates that Jaradat had been subject to torture during his detention.
PCHR:
1. Demands that the Palestinian government in Gaza opens a serious investigation into this death, makes the results of the investigation available to the public and prosecutes the perpetrators.
2. Stresses that torture is prohibited under Palestinian Law. It is a grave violation of human rights as guaranteed by international standards and conventions, especially the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 1984. PCHR reiterates that torture crimes remain punishable at all times.
3. Affirms that arrests of suspects are regulated by Palestinian Law. They are the responsibility of law enforcement officials, who are under the direct supervision of the Prosecutor General.
