February 28, 2001

Al-Haq Demands a Full

Al-Haq is deeply concern by the death yesterday under unclear circumstances, and while being detained by the Palestinian Military Intelligence Service, of 33 year old Salim Hassan Aqra’ from Kablan in the Nablus district.  According to information given by Salim’s brother, Salim was detained by the Military Intelligence Service in Nablus on 6 January 2001, and placed in detention in a Palestinian Military Intelligence prison.  Requests for information regarding the reason for his detention made by his family were denied and no charges were filed.  He was also forbidden to have visitors.  Salim’s health quickly deteriorated, and on 22 February 2001 he was transferred to the National Hospital in Nablus.  Salim’s brother reported that he was allowed to see Salim’s body prior to its transfer to Abu Dis where an autopsy is to be preformed.  He stated that there were clear signs of torture upon his brother’s body.

Al-Haq views with grave concern the continued use of torture in Palestinian detention centers under the administration of the Palestinian Security Apparatuses, and calls for a full investigation into this case.  Al-Haq also calls upon the Palestinian National Authority to release the results of the autopsy to be performed upon Salim’s body.  The PNA must establish clear guidelines that prohibit the use of torture and force against detainees.  While a directive by the civil police commander in Gaza to this effect was released in 1995, it does not have the weight of law.  Al-Haq has documented reports of beatings, sleep deprivation, burning, and other methods of torture used by various Palestinian security services.  

Al-Haq views with further concern the irresponsible disregard of the Palestinian Security Services of the repeated appeals that have been addressed to them by human rights organizations urging them to stop the use of torture and other cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment.  These actions are clear violations of international human rights instruments including the International Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on civil and Political rights. 

Al-Haq condemns these gross human rights violations and demands the following:

1. That the Palestinian National Authority intervene to end these practices.
2. That an independent investigative committee be formed to look into the death of Salim Hassan Aqra’.
3. That all steps be taken to investigate and, if it can be proven that torture has occurred, prosecute those individuals who were involved in carrying out the torture of prisoners and detainees.
4. That the Palestinian National Authority take immediate measures to guarantee that the various Palestinian Security Apparatuses respect and apply the international conventions and agreements that deal specifically with the treatment of detainees and prisoners, specifically, the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or degrading Treatment or Punishment and the Body of Principles for the Protection of all Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment. 
5. That the Legislative Council form a Special Committee to Supervise and monitor the conditions of the detainees and the prisoners, in prisons and places of detention, in order to guarantee that the minimum international standards for the treatment of prisoners is being implemented.