Committee Against Torture in Israel

The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI)

May 18, 2009

Press Release

The Concluding Observations of the UN Committee against Torture (CAT) that were published on Friday, 15 May 2009, are highly critical of Israel. One of the principal subjects of concern noted by the Committee is that not even one criminal investigation has been initiated based on more than 600 complaints of torture and ill treatment submitted against General Security Service (GSS) interrogators since 2001.

The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel (PCATI) submitted alternative reports to the Committee and briefed its members during their meeting with NGOs. PCATI wishes to emphasize that the Concluding Observations reflect the harsh reality and the allegations made in the numerous complaints of torture which regularly reach our office. PCATI calls on the State of Israel to adopt the Committee's recommendations and, first and foremost, legislate a law that explicitly outlaws torture, places investigations of torture complaints under an independent and impartial body and brings to justice all those who violate the absolute prohibition of torture, a basic principle of international law.

CAT Concluding Observations on Israel:

http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/cat/docs/cobs/CAT.C.ISR.CO.4.pdf

Reports submitted to CAT by PCATI

http://www.stoptorture.org.il/he/node/1415

ENDS

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