|
|
|
|
|
TITLE: Israeli Office Of Attorney General Refuses To Investigate Allegations of Torture On Grounds That It Is Not a Matter Of Public Interest |
AUTHOR: |
ORG: LAW |
DATE: January 15, 2001 |
|
Yesterday, 14 January 2001, LAW learnt from the office of the Israeli Attorney General that an investigation into allegations of torture brought forward by Rami Iz'oul, an 18-year-old Palestinian detainee, would not be carried out. The reason given for the refusal to investigate the case was that it did not constitute a matter of "public interest". The letter by the office of the Israeli Attorney came in response to a complaint filed by LAW, through its attorney Labib Habib, with the Department for Investigation of Police Misconduct on 3 December 2000. LAW had demanded an investigation into the interrogation of Rami Iz'oul. Rami Iz'oul was arrested by Israeli soldiers from his home in the West Bank village of Husan near Bethlehem on 30 October 2000 and has been kept in detention since. Iz'oul claims that he was beaten and had ice-cold water poured over his head during the interrogation by the Israeli police (see LAW's press releases of 30 November and 16 December 2000). Due to the torture suffered during interrogation, Iz'oul had to be transferred to Hadassa hospital in Jerusalem and was hospitalized for one night. After his release from hospital, the 18-year-old reported that he was beaten again and threatened into signing a false confession. On 6 September 1999, the Israeli High Court issued a judgment outlawing specific interrogation methods amounting to torture. The High Court further stated that a reasonable interrogation was necessarily one free of torture, cruel and inhuman treatment. The Court highlighted that "brutal and inhuman means" were prohibited during interrogation and that human dignity includes the dignity of the suspect being interrogated. LAW believes that the practices used during the interrogation of Rami Iz'oul amount to "brutal and inhuman means" and are therefore in contradiction of the High Court ruling of 6 September 1999. For this reason, LAW maintains that an investigation into the allegations of torture brought forward by Rami Iz'oul is of the utmost importance and will further pursue the issue with the Israeli State Prosecutor's Office. LAW is concerned that if a proper investigation into the case is not carried out, it will be seen by Israeli interrogators as a signal that acts of torture and ill treatment will go unpunished. Under international law, interrogation methods which constitute torture or ill treatment are absolutely prohibited and subject to universal jurisdiction. LAW The Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to preserving human rights through legal advocacy. END |