“Israel has been subjecting detained Palestinians to constant torture” — UN expert
Since October 2023, more than 18,500 people have been detained, of which 1,500 are children.
According to a report released on Friday by Francesca Albanese, Palestinians have been subjected to "extremely brutal physical and psychological abuse" since October 7, 2023.
In her report, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, emphasized that Israel's practice of torturing Palestinians is systematic and "demonstrates an intent for collective punishment and destruction."
The report, titled "Torture and Genocide," analyzes Israel's relentless torture of the population in the occupied Palestinian territory since October 7, 2023.
According to the report, brutal beatings, sexual violence, assault, treatment leading to death, starvation, and deprivation of the most basic human conditions have left deep and long-lasting physical and psychological scars on thousands of Palestinians and their loved ones.
"Torture has become an inseparable tool of domination and punishment against men, women, and children, implemented not only upon arrest but through a campaign of long-term collective pain and suffering via forced displacement, mass killings, deprivation of all life-sustaining resources, and destruction," the report states.
Albanese compiled written materials for the report, including statements from at least 300 witnesses.
An accompanying statement says that Albanese "unequivocally condemns torture and other forms of ill-treatment perpetrated by all actors, including Palestinian armed groups," but that this report "focuses primarily on Israeli conduct."
At the same time, Israel is a party to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Albanese stressed that arrests of Palestinians in the occupied territory have surged since October 2023, with over 18,500 people detained, including 1,500 children.
According to the report, approximately 9,000 Palestinians are currently in detention, with over 4,000 individuals being "forcibly disappeared." Albanese stated that Israel's detention system has "become a regime of systematic and widespread cruelty, coercion, and terror."
She called on Israel to "immediately cease all torture and ill-treatment against the Palestinian people within the context of the ongoing genocide" and urged all states to "do everything in their power to stop the destruction of the rest of Palestine."
Albanese also requested the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor to ensure arrest warrants are issued against Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
She is expected to present her report to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday. While special rapporteurs are appointed by the UN, they are independent experts and do not speak on behalf of the UN.
