Ref: 74/2013
Date: 05 July 2013
Time: 15:00 GMT

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights strongly condemns abducting 7 Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip in the past three days by militants, who are suspected to be members of the police anti-drug unit and the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades (the armed wing of Hamas). The militants interrogated the abductees about possession of the Tramadol drug and practiced torture against them. The abductees were dumped into the streets after having sustained fractures to their feet. PCHR calls upon the Attorney General and the government in Gaza to investigate this crime, bring the perpetrators before justice and ensure remedy for victims.

According to investigations conducted by PCHR and the testimonies of a number of victims and their families, in the early morning of Thursday, 04 July 2013, 7 Palestinians were admitted into Kamal Edwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia, as they had sustained fractures to the feet and serious bruises throughout the body after having been subjected to severe torture and shabeh (shackling). These persons had been abducted and interrogated in unknown places by militants. The victims stated that a number of those militants are members of the police anti-drug unit and the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades. The victims were abducted over the past three days, and were interrogated about their possession of drugs (Tramadol).

One of the victims, Y.A.SH., 34, from Beit Lahia, stated that a police anti-drug officer came to his house on Monday, 01 July 2012, and asked to talk with him in the street. The victim added that when he was walking and talking with the officer, a number of militants covered his face with his shirt, kidnapped him to an unknown place and violently beat him. He added that he was then transferred to another place where he was detained with other persons until Thursday morning, 04 July. During his detention, he was subjected to shabeh of his hands that were tied behind his back. He added that he and the other detained persons were hit with steel tubes on their feet causing factures. They also sustained bruises throughout the body. On Thursday early morning, he was dumped opposite to the Syrian Restaurant in Jabalya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. People in the area transported him to Kamal Edwan Hospital to receive medical treatment.

Another victim, Kh.A.A., 26, from Jabalya, stated to PCHR that on Wednesday, 03 July 2013, an activist of the Izziddin al-Qassam Brigades came to his house and asked him to

accompany him. He added that the activist handed him to unknown militants who transferred him to an unknown place where he was detained. During his detention, he was interrogated about the possession of drugs (Tramadol). He was violently beaten throughout the body, and was subjected to shabeh from his hands that were tied behind his back. He was then transferred to another place where he was hit on his feet that were broken. The victim added that he was dumped in al-Trance Street in Jabalya refugee camp, and people transported him to Kamal Edwan Hospital.

In light of the above, PCHR emphasizes that concerned authorities and law enforcement officials have the right and duty to combat the lesion of drugs and prosecute drug dealers, however:

1. Stresses that police officers must respect the law, especially Article (13) of the Basic Law, which prohibits torture and depending on evidence collected through its use, and combating a crime cannot be achieved by committing another crime.
2. Calls upon the Attorney General to investigate this attack, including the involvement of persons who are not law enforcement officials, and bring the perpetrators before justice.
3. Reminds that torture is prohibited under the Palestinian law, and constitute a serious violation of human rights that are ensured under international standards and human rights instruments, especially the Convention against Torture and Other Forms of Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 1984.
4. Views this attack as part of the state of security chaos and lawlessness.
5. Calls upon the government in Gaza to take serious measures to stop the perpetration of the crime of torture, even if it is committed for criminal reasons, and to bring the perpetrators before justice.