Palestinian detainees subjected to abuse, humiliation in Israeli jails, says human rights organization

RAMALLAH: Physicians for Human Rights confirmed today that violence and humiliation are systematically carried out by occupation administration prisoners against Palestinian detainees when they leave their cells to visit lawyers and receive medical treatment. Among the testimonies published by Physicians for Human Rights, it is evident that 'acts of violence occur in areas not covered by security surveillance cameras; they include kicking and beating detainees while they are handcuffed, preventing them from accessing toilets, and sexual humiliation; in some cases the detainees give up in advance to go to receive treatment.' New testimonies sent by Physicians for Human Rights to the occupation prison authorities, calling on them to 'put an end to the use of systematic violence against Palestinian detainees, reveal a pattern of severe violations practiced by prison guards against them.' The organization sent to the occupation authorities 14 testimonies collected during the last two months by lawyers who, on behalf of the organization, visited prisoners in the Katziot, Nafha, and Ramon prisons. Testimonies show a similar pattern of violence: 'Assaults occur outside cells in areas where there are no surveillance cameras, and often occur while detainees go to the clinic, to visit lawyers, or to attend court sessions.' According to reports, 'these acts of violence include serious physical assaults, severe bruising, sexual harassment and intimidation, in addition to other humiliating acts and various threats. In many cases, these violent attacks cause health, physical and psychological problems that last for long periods.' Source: Palestine news and Information Agency – WAFA