UN wants access to Israeli concentration camp

UN rights experts seek access to Israeli prison

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GENEVA (AFP) — The United Nations anti-torture committee on Tuesday asked Israel to grant the International Committee of the Red Cross access to a secret detention facility where torture is allegedly being practised.
"Allegations of torture, ill-treatment and poor detention conditions in this facility have been reported to the committee," said a document prepared by the committee for a hearing held Tuesday on Israel's record on torture.

The committee of 10 independent experts demanded that Israel release information on the alleged "Facility 1391" which is situated in an "undetermined location within Israel and which is not accessible to the International Committee of the Red Cross or detainees' lawyers or relatives".

"What measures have been undertaken to ensure appropriate access by ICRC to all detainees in this facility?" the committee asked.

It said that had received reports alleging that "Palestinian detainees are subjected by Israeli security officials to acts in violation" of the anti-torture convention, including beatings, sleep deprivations and sharp twisting of the head.

In a written reply, Israel denied that it was operating the facility or using it to interrogate suspects.

"For several years now, the ISA (Israel Scurity Agency) is not involved in any way in operating that facility, and no ISA interrogations are conducted there. Furthermore, since September 2006, the facility has not been used for detention," said Israel.

It added that allegations of torture had been investigated by "competent authorities and no grounds for criminal proceedings were found," decisions which were upheld by Israel's Supreme Court.

Shai Nitzan, deputy state attorney for special affairs at Israel's Ministry of Justice, who led the Israeli delegation, said at the hearing in Geneva that the country's laws prohibit the use of torture during interrogations.

"Preventing terorrism effectively while ensuring that the basic human rights of even the most dangerous and brutal criminals are protected, is clearly a demanding and complex task.

"Indeed, as a democracy, Israel must often fight with one hand tied behind its back," said Nitzan.

The committee also asked Israel to explain a law which allows for Palestinian detainees, including children from the age of 12, to be held for a period of up to eight days before being brought before a judge.

"How does the state party reconcile the order with its obligation under... the convention to take effective measures to prevent torture?" asked the committee.

According to the UN special rapporteur on the protection of human rights while countering terrorism, some 700 Palestinian minors were arrested in 2006, with 25 held in administrative detention orders.

Solitary confinement was also used to get confessions from minors and as a punishment, said the special rapporteur.

"How does the state party reconcile these allegations with rule 67... which prohibits disciplinary measures against children, including solitary confinement?" asked the committee.

In its written reply, Israel said it acted in accordance to the law.

"It is Israel's position that in light of the current security situation facing Israel, the use of this method is obligatory, and is essential in preventing terrorist activity," it said.

The committee is scheduled to publish a report on Tuesday's hearing on May 15.