The United Against Torture Coalition Reports to the UN Committee Against Torture:
“The Use of Torture and Ill-Treatment by Israeli Authorities against Palestinians is both Widespread and Systematic”

On 1 September 2008, the UAT Coalition submitted its Alternative Report (the Report) to the UN Committee Against Torture (the Committee) concerning Israel’s lack of compliance with the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT) as well as suggested questions and recommendations for the State Party.

The UAT Coalition’s Report, which is supported by over 80 pages of evidence, concludes that:

• “Since the Committee last reviewed Israel, the practice of torture and ill-treatment has continued unabated. The UAT Coalition wishes to inform the Committee that in its opinion, the use of torture and ill-treatment by Israeli authorities against Palestinians is both widespread and systematic. The State is either unwilling or unable to fulfil its obligations under the Convention.

• The UAT Coalition has observed and recorded evidence of acts, omissions and complicity by agents of the State at all levels, including the army, the intelligence service, the police, the judiciary and other branches of government.

• The UAT Coalition is of the view that until this culture of impunity is addressed the situation is unlikely to improve, and the Committee will find itself issuing similar conclusions and recommendations in four years time.”

The UAT Coalition members participating in the Report consist of 14 Palestinian and Israeli human rights NGOs dedicated to the progressive and substantial eradication of torture and ill-treatment in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). Contributions were also received from Addameer Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association (Addameer) and Physicians for Human Rights – Israel (PHR – Israel).

The Coalition aims to achieve its goals through coordinated documentation, reporting and exposure of incidence of torture and other ill-treatment in Israel and the OPT with the aim of holding the responsible authorities to account.

The vast majority of the information in the Report comes directly from the work that UAT member organisations are engaged in, from client affidavits, information introduced in litigation and years of collective experience working in the field.

The Report – which is confined to issues relating to the treatment by Israeli authorities of Palestinians from the West Bank (including East Jerusalem), Gaza and Palestinian residents/citizens of Israel – is intended to assist the Committee in developing its List of Issues that Israel will be expected to address at the review of its Fourth Periodic Report in May 2009.

The UAT Coalition would like to take this opportunity to thank members for their assistance and contribution to the preparation of the Report. 

Source
 

Source: UAT