Press Release

9 September 1998
Press Release Index
AL-HAQ CONDEMNS THE PRACTICE OF TORTURE AND INHUMANE ACTS BY THE PALESTINIAN SECURITY APPARATUS.
On 16 August 1998, Palestinian Preventive Security and Force 17 arrested Sharif Ratib Abdullah Al-Jabarin, a 41 year-old Palestinian resident of Sa'ir village in the Hebron district. Mr. Jabarin was initially detained at the Security Headquarters in Thahiriya village. He was later transferred to the District Headquarters in Hebron where he remained until his release on 5 September 1998. Al-Haq followed the situation of Mr. Jabarin from the beginning of his detention until his release was ordered by the District Attorney of Hebron who acquitted him of all charges.
According to the affidavit taken by al-Haq, Mr. Jabarin stated that he was unaware of the reasons for his arrest as he was never accused of a specific charge. Throughout the period of detention, Palestinian investigators continuously insisted that he admit to different charges, of which they accused him, without supplying him with the context and background of these charges. Throughout his detention, the Palestinian Security Apparatus subjected Mr. Jabarin to various forms of torture and inhumane treatment as well as insults and degrading remarks. These acts caused severe psychological and physical damage to Mr. Jabarin. According to the medical report conducted upon his release, severe bruising from torture was evident on his shoulders, face, back, buttocks and genital area. In addition, his hearing has been partially impaired due to severe beating to his left ear.
As a result of the extensive torture to which Mr. Jabarin was subjected, his case was presented to various Palestinian officials, including Al-Tayeb Abd al-Rahim, Presidential Secretary-General, and Al-Hajj Ismail Jabber, commander of National Security in the West Bank, both of whom ordered the formation of a High Committee, headed by Abd al-Fattah al-Ju'aidi, Brigadier-General, to investigate the circumstances of the detention of Mr. Jabarin.
Al-Haq views with grave concern the torture of Palestinians in prisons and detention centers under the administration of the Palestinian Security Apparatus.
Al-Haq views with further concern the irresponsibility and disregard of the Palestinian Security Apparatus to the many appeals which have been addressed to them by human rights organizations. These appeals urge the Security Apparatus to stop acts of torture and inhumane practices which are in clear violation of the rules, conventions, and international instruments of human rights, specifically the International Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Al-Haq condemns these acts which represent a systematic pattern of human rights violations and demands the following:
  1. That the Palestinian National Authority intervene to end these practices.
  2. That the Special Investigating Committee immediately release the preliminary results of the investigation into Mr. Jabarin's arrest and detention.
  3. That all steps are taken to prosecute those individuals who were involved in carrying out the torture and inhumane practices against Mr. Jabarin, and other Palestinian prisoners and detainees, especially as those who interrogated Mr. Jabarin are known to the commanders of the Palestinian Security Apparatus in Hebron.
  4. That the Palestinian National Authority take immediate measures to guarantee that the Palestinian Security Apparatus respect and apply the international conventions and agreements which 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 standard for the treatment of prisoners is being implemented.
  6. That the Palestinian Legislative Council draft and adopt a law which specifically prohibits torture and other inhumane practices, of which, in al-Haq's view, Palestinian society is in desperate need, given the frequent incidents of torture conducted by the various bodies of the Palestinian Security Apparatus which have led to the death of over 20 Palestinians since July 1994.

-END-