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UN: Israel should reveal secret torture centers, if they exist
 The United Nations urged Israel to reveal secret torture facilities, if the country operated such centers, in a report published Friday by the world body's Committee against Torture.
| "They don't exist. Thanks for asking." |
| Does the Committee plan to send a similar note to Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, Zimbabwe, etc, or just to the juices? |
In reference to information provided by Israel that a detention center run by the Shin Bet security services known as "Facility 1391" was no longer operational, the committee wrote: "The State party should investigate and disclose the existence of any other such facility and the authority under which it has been established."
The committee also said it was concerned by the fact that the Supreme Court has found that Israeli authorities acted reasonably in not conducting investigations on allegations on torture and ill-treatment and poor detention conditions in the facility, which Israel said was closed in 2006.
For the first time, the committee dealt with allegations of Palestinian human rights infringements in Friday's report. "The Palestinian authorities in the West Bank should take immediate measures to investigate, prosecute and appropriately punish persons under their jurisdiction responsible for these abuses," it said.
| What about the torture chambers maintained by Hamas? When are those opened for inspection? | | Hamas is different, silly. |
"Additionally," the report continued, "Hamas authorities in the Gaza Strip should take immediate steps to end its campaign of abductions, deliberate and unlawful killings, torture, and unlawful detentions, and to punish those responsible."
| You and what army will force Hamas to do that? |
| They're being even-handed. It's new, so they aren't very good at it yet. |
Members of the UN panel questioned Israeli officials earlier in the month about the allegations over the detention facility.
Shai Nitzan, deputy state attorney for special affairs at Israel's justice ministry, told them in response: "Every complaint alleging inappropriate treatment towards prisoners and detainees is investigated and seriously considered by the competent authorities, and if there is legal basis, criminal or disciplinary procedures are taken."
| Opening the door to lawfare, but that's a discussion for another time. |
Posted by: Steve White 2009-05-16
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=269843 |
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