Abbas government accused of torture

[bemildred]

More detainees have complained of torture by the Palestinian Authority following the death in custody of a Hamas religious leader in the West Bank.

The family and followers of imam Majd al-Barghouthi say he was tortured to death last Friday, an allegation that the authorities strenuously deny.

Now new allegations have emerged of ill-treatment – even torture – of Hamas supporters held in Palestinian Authority jails.

Four men who were arrested alongside al-Barghouthi told his family that they were all tied up in painful positions during interrogation, and that intelligence officers demanded to know where the detainees had hidden weapons.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A155FD0D-9A0D-4C9C-9B7B-BCF3B1E40845.htm

[oberliner]

1. PCHR Calls for Independent Investigation into Death of Detainee Subjected to Torture

and Medical Negligence

The Palestinian Centre for Human rights (PCHR) calls for an independent investigation into the death of 44 year old Majd al-Barghouthi, who died on Friday 22 February, while in illegal detention, administered by the General Intelligence Service (GIS) of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah. There is evidence that prior to his death Majd al-Barghouthi was subjected to torture and ill-treatment, and might also have been a victim of medical negligence during his detention.


According to investigations conducted by PCHR, at approximately 17:30 on Thursday, 14 February, two civilian vehicles with Palestinian registration plates moved into Koubar village, northwest of Ramallah. When Sheikh Majd ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Mustafa al-Barghouthi, emerged from the local mosque, he was confronted by four masked persons. Al-Bargouthi called for help, at which point a man got out of one of the vehicles and introduced himself as an officer of the Palestinian GIS. He claimed he had a warrant to arrest al-Barghouthi, who was immediately transferred to the GIS Headquarters in the north of al-Bireh for interrogation. During his detention, Majd al-Bargouthi was denied visitors.

http://www.pchrgaza.org/files/PressR/English/2008/16-2008.html

[Vegasaurus]

2. And Hamas is attacking female students

and using other violence as a method of control, according to other reports.

I am waiting for the inevitable "it's Israel's fault" people to come and blame the violence and torture on Israel. It would NEVER be the Palestinians' fault, since they are faultless, blameless and have no control over their own actions.

:sarcasm:

[breakaleg]

3. Insert "Israel" for "Palestinians'" and you now have a factual statement.

[Vegasaurus]

4. Israel is killing students?

There is factional violence in Israel (Jew on Jew) being blamed on Palestinians?

Please share your information on this new development.

[breakaleg]

5. your last sentence. nt