Trendpills
The United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT) has released a report concluding that Israel is perpetuating a "de-facto state policy of organised torture and ill-treatment." The findings, part of a periodic review of Israel's compliance with the Convention against Torture, express deep concern over numerous credible reports of abuse against Palestinian detainees, including children.
The committee highlighted a range of alleged practices, including severe beatings, stress positions, sleep deprivation, and threats. According to the report, these methods are used systematically during interrogation and detention. The UN's official findings detail these severe allegations, pointing to both physical and psychological suffering inflicted upon prisoners. A key concern raised by the committee is the near-total impunity for perpetrators. The report notes that allegations of torture are rarely investigated effectively, and prosecutions are almost non-existent, which contributes to the normalisation of such practices within the security system.
The investigation criticizes Israel's use of the "necessity defense" to justify what it terms "special interrogation methods," arguing that this legal loophole provides a basis for sanctioning torture. The comprehensive UN report has drawn significant global attention, with human rights organizations urging immediate action and accountability. The committee's experts have called on Israel to explicitly prohibit all forms of torture in its domestic law, remove the necessity defense, and ensure that all allegations are promptly and impartially investigated by an independent body.
In response to the accusations, Israeli officials have consistently denied systematic abuse, stating that their actions comply with both national and international law and are necessary for security reasons. The official Israeli stance contrasts sharply with the UN's conclusions, maintaining that all detainees are treated humanely and that any complaints are thoroughly examined. However, the UN committee's findings challenge this narrative, urging Israel to allow independent monitoring of all detention facilities and to ensure full redress for victims. The report underscores a significant gap between Israel's official position and the evidence reviewed by the international body.
