UN experts: ‘Israel’ must investigate torture of Arbeed
Geneva (QNN)- UN human rights experts said Friday the occupation state of Israel must immediately investigate the torture of Samer Arbeed by the Israeli Shen Bet during interrogation.
According to information received by the experts, Israeli security forces arrested Arbeed outside his workplace in Ramallah on 25 September 2019. He was detained on suspicion of involvement in a bomb explosion that took place near the illegal settlement of Dolev in the occupied West Bank in August 2019. An Israeli illegal settler was killed while another settler was injured.
“We are gravely concerned that Mr. Al-Arbeed has suffered torture and ill-treatment in the course of being interrogated and we call on the State of Israel to ensure a prompt and impartial criminal investigation,” the experts said.
Arbeed was secretly evacuated to hospital in critical condition only two days after his arrest. He had several broken ribs, marks on his body, and acute kidney failure. He has been denied visits by his family or lawyer.
“We also urge Israel to revise its laws and practices and bring them into line with its international obligations prohibiting torture in absolute terms. The ban protects everyone, including suspects who are alleged to have committed serious offences.”
“We are very concerned about serious gaps in Israel’s laws and practices that may be in violation of an absolute prohibition of torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including through allowing the use of so called ‘special interrogation measures’,” the experts said.
