The United Nations committee on torture has drawn attention to serious allegations against Israel, stating that there is substantial evidence supporting a 'de facto state policy of organized and widespread torture'. This assertion emerged during Israel's review, which allowed both Israeli and Palestinian human rights organizations to testify about dire conditions in Israeli detention centers.
Since October 7, 2023, following Hamas's attacks, thousands of Palestinians have reportedly been detained. Israel's administrative detention laws permit the confinement of individuals without trial for extended periods, denying them access to legal representation or contact with family. Many families have experienced enforced disappearances, waiting months for any news of their loved ones' detentions.
The UN committee criticized Israel’s use of unlawful detention practices, with grave implications for vulnerable populations, including children and pregnant women. The committee’s findings detailed testimonies of detainees being deprived of basic necessities and subjected to horrific mistreatment, such as beatings, electrocution, and sexual violence. The report labels such actions as potential war crimes and crimes against humanity, indicating a connection to genocide under international law.
In response, the Israeli government has denied the accusations, labeling them as disinformation. Despite recognizing the security issues posed by terrorist threats, the committee stressed that violations by one party cannot justify those by another, upholding the absolute ban on torture. The findings contribute to ongoing scrutiny of Israel's human rights practices, amidst worsening conditions in the Gaza Strip and a lack of accountability for alleged atrocities.
