U.S. rebukes Israel's human rights
State Department publishes human rights report; says Israel using force on foreign workers; not enough beds and torture and abuse of Palestinian prisoners
WASHINGTON - The State Department rebuked Israel's treatment of Palestinian prisoners in its annual report on human rights progress for 2004.
The report is primarily based on the state comptroller’s reports and reports from the human rights association in Israel.
According to the report, in May of 2004, an official source in the immigration police was quoted as saying police used exaggerated force when arresting foreign workers.
The Knesset committee charged with handling foreign workers is continuing to investigate the charges.
'Conditions meet international standards'
According to the report prisoners are entitled to conditions that are not detrimental to their health or self respect.
"The facilities in which the criminal and security prisoners are held, as well as military prisoner camps where accused prisoners are incarcerated, usually meet international standards," the report said.
However, the report did state Palestinian cells are overcrowded and restrictions are overly severe.
In 2003 the High Court of Justice prohibited prisoners from sleeping on the floor, and determined that each prisoner should be provided a bed.
The Israeli internal security minister issued an order to provide every prisoner a bed, exercise in an open yard, the right to phone calls, visits and less crowded facilities.
Despite this, 500 criminal and security prisoners slept on the floor due to lack of beds.
Russian Compound still unsanitary and overcrowded
The brunt of the criticism relates to the investigation facility at the Russian Compound, where the report says "conditions have remained cruel.”
Released prisoners had reported they were regularly held with their hands tied behind their backs for hours on end and said new prisoners undergo medical examinations to determine whether they are able to withstand the violent treatment.
In 2004, the report stated, 498 Palestinian minors were brought to the Russian Compound, the youngest of whom was 13-years-old. These minors were physically and mentally tortured and prevented visits by family members, held in unsanitary and overcrowded conditions.
However, despite the criticism, “in the past three years no official Israeli source had been put on trial for torture,” the report said.
Israel’s part in the report is minimal compared with that of other countries.
