Ref: 109/2007

Date: 27 August 2007

Time: 11:30 GMT

PCHR Is Concerned Over the Detention and Torture of a Number of Fatah Supporters by the Executive Force

PCHR is deeply concerned over the arrest campaign waged by the Executive Force in the past two days against a number of supporters of Fatah movement in Gaza City and the central Gaza Strip. PCHR calls for an investigation into the torture and beating of a number of detainees during their detention by the Executive Force and to take legal action against the perpetrators. .  

According to investigations conducted by PCHR, on Saturday morning, 25 August 2007, the Executive Force arrested 15 residents of al-Daraj neighborhood in the east of Gaza City to interrogate them about their participation in the prayer conducted in the Unknown Soldier Yard in Gaza City on the preceding day, and the demonstration that followed. Fatah movement had called for doing the Friday Prayer in the Unknown Solider Yard, in protest to what it described as “the incitement and politicization of religious preaches at mosques.” According to a number of released detainees, they were beaten and humiliated during their detention at al-Saraya security compound. They were also forced to sign a document pledging not to participate in any activities organized by Fatah movement and not to give any information to the media, and if they break this pledge, they must pay 3,000 JD (approximately US$ 4,285).

In the same context, the Executive Force arrested 3 residents of the same neighborhood on Sunday morning, 26 August 2007. They were also beaten, humiliated and forced to sign the same pledge.

In his testimony to PCHR, one of the released detainees stated:

“At approximately 04:15 on Saturday, 25 August 2007, many members of the Executive Force broke into the yard of our house and arrested my brother who got out to check what was going on. They then ordered me and my other brothers to get out. As soon as I got out, they handcuffed, blindfolded and violently beat me. They placed me in a jeep and then transported me to al-Saraya compound. During our way to al-Saraya compound, they continued to beat me. I sustained fractures to my left hand and upper jaw. In al-Saraya security compound, they interrogated me about my participation in the Friday prayer and the demonstration that followed. During the interrogation, they beat and insulted me. They then forced me to sign a document pledging not to participate in demonstrations and activities organized by Fatah movement and not to talk to the media, and if I violate this pledge, I must pay 3,000 JD. They released me and my brothers at approximately 09:00 on the same day.”

On Saturday morning, 25 August 2007, the Executive Force arrested 5 supporters of Fatah movement in Nusairat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, because they did not allow members of Hamas to deliver a statement at the mourning house of Nizar al-‘Abeed, who was killed by Israeli Occupation Forces on 18 August 2007. Members of the Executive Force violently beat the detainees and cut their hair.

In his testimony to PCHR, one of the released detainees stated:

“At approximately 09:00 on Saturday, two masked persons intercepted me when I was walking in the market. They took me in a vehicle towards Jenin outpost near the police station of the central Gaza Strip. There, they handcuffed, blindfolded and beat me. They then started to interrogate me. During the interrogation, they violently beat me and hit my head to the wall until I fainted. They also cut my hair. The interrogation continued for an hour and a half. After the interrogation, they detained me in a room for half an hour. They hanged me with a cord, and started to beat me violently until I fainted again. Later, they took me to a toilette and ordered me to clean it with my hands. An hour later, they took me to a room, where they interrogated and violently beat me. At approximately 22:00, they forced me to sign a document pledging not to cause chaos or insult Hamas, and then released me.”      

PCHR strongly condemns these actions, and:

1.      Calls for an immediate investigation into such practices, prosecuting the perpetrators and taking steps to prevent their recurrence.

2.      Reminds that torture is outlawed by Palestinian Law, and is a serious human rights violation under international human rights instruments, especially the Convention against Torture and other forms of Cruel, Inhumane, or Degrading Treatment (1984).

3.      Stresses that arrests under the Palestinian Law are the mandate of judicial warranty officials represented by the civilian police, working under the instruction and supervision of the Attorney-General.

4.      Affirms that the right to peaceful assembly is ensured by the Basic Law and the Law of Public Meetings #12 of 1998.