'11 Palestinians died under PA, Hamas detention'

Palestinian Independent Commission For Human Rights report shows rise in complaints of rights abuses by PA, Hamas.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Gazan behind prison bars 370 (photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem )
Gazan behind prison bars 370
(photo credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Salem )
Eleven Palestinians have died in Palestinian Authority and Hamas detention centers during 2012, according to a report released Tuesday by the Palestinian Independent Commission For Human Rights.
Two of the Palestinians died in PA detention centers in the West Bank, while the nine others died in Hamas custody in the Gaza Strip.
Seven of those who died in detention had been suspected of “collaboration” with Israel.
The report said that last year saw a 10 percent increase in the number of complaints about human rights abuses by the PA and Hamas, compared with 2011.
Randa Siniora, executive director of ICHR, told a press conference in Ramallah that many complaints were related to arbitrary and political detentions, as well as torture and mistreatment.
She said the group also documented many complaints regarding the refusal of the PA and Hamas to implement court orders.
The organization recommended that the PA and Hamas stop violating freedom of expression by interrogating Palestinians who express their views.
In response,the EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah welcomed the report, but expressed concern over recurrent reports of cases of torture and ill treatment of detainees by Palestinian law- enforcement agencies.
The EU missions welcomed PA President Mahmoud Abbas’s instruction to respect the prohibition of torture as a “relevant and unambiguous response.”
“The EU will continue to promote support for human rights by all in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, in particular through its regular dialogue with the Israeli authorities and the Palestinian Authority as well as support to Palestinian institutions and civil society,” it said in a statement.