Ref: 121/2007
Date: 16 September 2007
Time: 11:30 GMT
PCHR Strongly Condemns Torture by Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions and the Executive Force
PCHR strongly condemns Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions for continuing to perpetrate abductions, detentions, as well as torture and inhumane and degrading treatment of detainees during interrogation. The Centre calls upon the dismissed government in Gaza to put an end to these actions, to prosecute the perpetrators, and to close all detention centers run by El-Qassam Battalions. The Centre calls for taking effective measures to put an end to torture and beating of detainees by the Executive Force.
The Center’s preliminary investigation indicates that at approximately 17:00 on Friday, 14 September 2007, Izzedeen El-Qassam Battalions released Sami Jaber Kuheil (44) after holding him for 9 days in El-Mashtal detention center in the west of Gaza City. Osama Kuheil, Sami’s brother, stated that El-Qassam Battalions informed him to come to El-Mashtal to receive his brother. He was told to sign a commitment not to publish anything about the case in the media. He added that his brother was taken to Al-Quds Hospital, where his condition was listed as serious. He was transferred to an Israeli hospital for treatment. PCHR’s fieldworkers witnessed signs of torture and bruises all over the victim’s body.
In a previous press release, PCHR indicated that El-Qassam Battalions abducted Kuheil on 6 September 2007. He was abducted from his car repair shop near his house in Daraj quarter in Gaza City. El-Qassam Battalions informed the family that they have taken their son, but did not indicate his place of detention. In the same press release, the Centre pointed that El-Qassam Battalions also abducted Mazen Ahmad El-Amasi (38) from Daraj quarter on 9 September 2007. El-Amasi’s family contacted El-Qassam Battalions, who confirmed holding their son without disclosing his location.
On another front, PCHR received additional affidavits from persons who were beaten and tortured during detention by the Executive Force.
Sami Mousa El-Behdari (37) is from Rafah. He is the Director of the National Initiative Office in the city, and is an employee of the Kan’an Institute of New Pedagogy. He stated that masked members of the Executive Force detained him on 12 September 2007 while he was standing in front of a pharmacy in Rafah. They took him to the Force Compound in the Rafah. They beat him with their hands and sticks along the way. He was severely beaten and tortured all over the body during detention. Torture included handcuffing his hands behind his back and placing a sack over the head as well as beating with hands, legs, and hoses. He also stated that he was forced to stand in painful positions, and was severely beaten on the bottom of the feet. In addition, he stated the members of the Executive Force placed nails under his fingernails, causing severe pain.
Bilal Shehda El-Najjar (27) is from Bani Suhaila. He stated that he was beaten in the Executive Force Compound in Bani Suhaila. He added that as soon as he arrived in the compound, he was taken by masked persons into a room. They tied his hands behind his back, sat him on a chair, and raised his feet after tying them. They beat him and shaved his head. The Force released him and his brother immediately afterwards.
Khaled Ismail Mughari (44) is from Deir El-Balah refugee camp. He is an officer in the Preventive Security Apparatus. He submitted himself to the Force on Tuesday, 11 September 2007. He stated that the Force placed a sack over his head as soon as he entered the compound. Two Force members started to beat him arbitrarily till his leg was broken. He added that two Force members came and took released him. He went to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, where his leg was put in a cast.
Ismail Salman Abu Jam’e (43) is from Bani Suhaila. He stated that the Force detained him from his house at about 17:00 on 11 September 2007. They bound his hands and eyes, and took him to the Force compound. They sat him on a chair and tied his legs. They beat him severely on the bottom of the feet for 15 minutes. Then they beat him on the back with a stick. The Force released him at 20:00 on the same day after signing a commitment not to interfere in mosque affairs, under penalty of a 4,000 New Israeli Shekel fine.
Sa’id Zaki Shurrab (24) is from Khan Yunis. He stated that the Executive Force detained him on 7 September 2007. They held him in a room, and bound his hands and eyes. They forced him to stand on his toes on a brick while continuously beating him for half an hour. He stated that this occurred several time. He was placed in a smelly cell before his release the following day after paying a 1,000 Shekel bail redeemable if he does not participate in demonstrations.
Ma’moun Suliman Wadi (41) is from Khan Yunis. He is an officer in the Palestinian General Intelligence. The Executive Force detained him on 7 September 2007. The next day, they took him to an undisclosed location and bound his hands and eyes, and severely beat him with hoses, sticks, hands, and legs for an hour till he fainted. Then they transferred him to Gaza Central Prison in Gaza City with other detainees. He was released on Wednesday, 12 September 2007.
PCHR reiterates its condemnation of these attacks, and:
Strongly condemns the use of torture, and calls for immediately investigating these incidents, prosecuting 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.
Strongly condemns El-Qassam Battalions for continuing to conduct illegal arrests; and calls for an immediate cessation to these actions, and for closing all detention centers run by the Battalions. The Centre affirms that El-Qassam Battalions are not a law-enforcement body, and is not entitled to conduct any arrests or interfere in civilian matters.
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.
