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Virtually all targeted children report arrest-connected physical violence. Harsh interrogations follow. Most face prosecutions and detentions.
Each year, 500 - 700 West Bank children (aged 12 - 17 or younger) are arrested, interrogated, prosecuted, and detained. Since 2000, around 7,500 were affected on largely bogus or exaggerated charges. Stone-throwing is most common. Imagine facing prison for something this minor, whether or not true.
"Credible reports of torture and/or ill-treatment" follow. Torment begins from arrest. Children are awakened, shackled, blindfolded and abused. Parents aren't told where they're taken. They're denied visitation rights.
Prolonged mistreatment includes exposure to the elements, lack of food, water and toilet facilities, verbal abuse and physical violence, as well as isolation with no parental or legal contacts.
Interrogation techniques include physical abuse, mental torment, and pressure to confess, or else. Intimidated children plead guilty. It's the quickest way out of their ordeal.
An April 2012 DCI-P report is titled "Bound, Blindfolded and Convicted: Children in military detention."
It discussed 311 documented cases from time of arrest through prosecution. Within days of apprehension, children face military tribunals shackled, traumatized, and terrified. Despite their innocence, most plead guilty to end their ordeal as quickly as possible.
Within days of arrests, they're detained in Israeli prisons. Doing so violates international law. So does torture and other abuse.
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