Amnesty: Palestinians torture 'collaborators'

Amnesty International's annual report on the state of the world's human rights criticized the Palestinian Authority, Hamas and Israel for various violations of human rights. The report indicated that three Palestinians suspected of collaborating with Israel were executed in the Gaza Strip whereas in the West Bank various suspects were tortured.

Israel was criticized mainly for its blockade of Gaza, its military checkpoints in the West Bank and denying medical attention to Palestinians.

The report states that in Gaza, military and criminal courts sentenced at least 11 people to death in 2011.

Five Palestinians were executed by Hamas after "trials that failed to meet international fair trial standards." Hamas was also accused of using "alternative prosecutors and judges who lacked appropriate training, qualifications and independence."

PA police officers. 150 complaints of torture in West Bank (Photo: AP)

The report provided details on several cases of torture committed against detainees in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. There were reports of over 150 complaints of torture or other ill-treatment by the PA in the West Bank and over 200 by Hamas in Gaza.

One man, Mohammed Abu-Moailek, was reported to have been tortured in a Gaza prison with electric shocks and cigarette burns for allegedly collaborating with Israel.

The report also addressed freedom of expression and noted several cases of arrests on this background. "Paul Martin, a British journalist, was arrested in February by the Hamas authorities in Gaza after he tried to help a man accused of 'collaboration' with Israel."

The report also mentioned captive soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been denied Red Cross visits by his Hamas captors.

Hamas forces in Gaza (Photo: AP) 

Amnesty also criticized Israel. It was claimed that four out of every five Palestinians require humanitarian aid because of Israel's 4-year blockade of Gaza. The report mentioned the IDF raid on the Gaza-bound flotilla in May 2010, in which nine people were killed. Amnesty said the blockade was a violation of international law and constitutes collective punishment.

The rights group also addressed military checkpoints in the West Bank, the separation fence and razing of illegal houses. According to the report, Israel demolished 431 structures in east Jerusalem and the West Bank in 2010, a 59% increase over 2009. The report also pointed to the demolition of Bedouin homes in the Negev, particularly in the village of al-Arakib.

Palestinians in Qalandiya checkpoint (Photo: AFP)

Israel was also accused of using excessive force against Palestinian civilians. According to the report, 33 Palestinian civilians, including eight children, were killed by Israeli military forces during 2010. It was also claimed that 15 Palestinian civilians, including four children, were killed and more than 100 injured by Israeli forces near the border fence.

Amnesty also claimed that at least 264 Palestinians were subject to administrative detention orders in 2010 and that some 680 Palestinian prisoners were denied family visits. Military courts were also criticized.

The rights group said there were frequent reports of torture and ill-treatment of detainees.

Amnesty also mentioned Mordechai Vanunu. It was claimed he is barred from communicating with foreigners or leaving the country.

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