Israel's Treatment of Arrested Persons and Convicted Prisoners
Dugard estimates since 1967 over 700,000 Palestinians have been imprisoned. Through year end 2007, Israelis held 11,000 or more prisoners, including "376 children, 118 women, (and) 44 Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) members." In addition, there are "some 800 (or more) 'administrative detainees' " (other estimates place the figure much higher) against whom no charges were made and who are held for renewable six month periods. Israel calls them "terrorists." Palestinians say they're "political prisoners who have committed crimes against" an illegal occupation.
A. Arrested and detained persons
Prisoners are subjected to "humiliating and degrading treatment." They're stripped, interrogated, beaten, tortured and deprived of their basic needs. The treatment of children is equally disturbing, according to the Palestine Section of Defence for Children International. It states that children are detained for between eight to 21 days before being brought to court. They're denied the presence of a parent or lawyer during interrogation, cursed, threatened, beaten and kept in solitary confinement throughout their ordeal. This type treatment terrifies adults. Imagine what it does to young children.
B. Convicted prisoners and administrative detainees
Prison conditions are harsh. Many prisoners are housed in tents that are extremely hot in summer and cold in winter. Overcrowding is serious, food is poor and anaemia among prisoners is common. This violates the letter and spirit of various Fourth Geneva Convention provisions that govern how an Occupying Power must treat prisoners.
The role of prison medical doctors must also be questioned. They witness inhumane treatment - wounds, swollen limbs, signs of violence - but remain silent and ignore the torture taking place. This raises serious ethical questions about their behavior.
Self-Determination
This is a legal and humanitarian right that's recognized by the Security Council, General Assembly, ICJ and even Israel. It applies to everyone, but for nearly 60 years, it's been denied in Occupied Palestine. It's even worse since the West Bank and Gaza were separated and are under different authorities.
Dugard stated that it's "a matter of deep concern (to him that he sees) no immediate prospect of reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah." He said it should also concern the Quartet (the US, Russia, EU and UN) and other international institutions, but what matters most is how they show support. It should not be for one faction over another. It should reconcile differences between both sides and unite them for self-determination within the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. So far, however, no efforts are being made, and divisive policies are being pursued that support one side while isolating the other.
International Law, the International Court of Justice, the Quartet and the UN
On December 8, 2003, the General Assembly asked the ICJ for an advisory opinion on Israel's separation wall. The Court's ruling "answered many legal questions that have been raised over the past 40 years." Principally, they were as follows:
-- Palestinians are entitled to self-determination; the wall's construction violates it;
-- Israel is legally required to comply with Fourth Geneva Convention provisions;
-- under Geneva's Article 49 (6), settlements are illegal;
-- Israel is required to abide by international human rights law in the OPT;
I am a 72 year old, retired, progressive small businessman concerned about all the major national and world issues, committed to speak out and write about them.
It is the Palestinians that have no right to exist. It is time for Israel to stop being a Jewish state. It is time for massive emmigration to the U.S. Too many people. Not enough water.
by
John Hanks (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1085 comments)
on Thursday, March 20, 2008 at 5:32:10 PM
