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June 26 is anti-torture day. Annually, victims, survivors, and family members commemorate it. Each year, over 100,000 victims receive treatment. Global centers provide it. Many other survivors needing care never get it. They and family members suffer.
Last June, the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PACTI) organized public protests to highlight "this most horrendous form of abuse."
Virtually all Palestinian detainees are subjected to physical and psychological torture as well as other forms of abuse. Children suffer most of all. Effects are traumatic and long-lasting. Some victims never recover.
PACTI volunteer Noam Gur and other activists staged a creative street performance in Jerusalem's Mamilla shopping center. Amidst heavy pedestrian traffic, they positioned themselves on the floor bound and gagged.
Two young women sat inside circles made of police lines. Their body language reflected misery and despair prisoners feel in confined spaces.
A staged interrogation of a Palestinian youth was the main attraction. Israel usually charges them with stone-throwing. Allegations are usually bogus.
The child lay on the floor bound and blindfolded. An "interrogator" simulated abuse. At the same time, a boombox blared noise. "Did you throw stones," was screamed repeatedly? "Did you participate in a demonstration?"
"Repeat after me: I threw stones at the demonstration."
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