The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has expressed concern over the exposure of Palestinian prisoner Samer Arbeed to extreme torture by Israeli interrogators.
“The UN Human Rights Office notes with concern the alleged torture of a 44-year-old Palestinian man, Samer Al Arbeed, who was arrested by Israeli Security Forces on 25 September as a suspect in a bomb explosion that killed a 17-year old Israeli girl near Dolev settlement in the occupied West Bank,” spokesman for the UN High Commissioner Rupert Colville said on Friday.
“Arbeed remains in the hospital in an induced coma and on artificial respiration, with critical injuries sustained after his arrest, including broken ribs and severe kidney failure,” a statement released by Colville said.
“This development is placing a spotlight on serious gaps and failings in Israel’s laws and practices in relation to its unequivocal obligation under international law to eradicate torture and cruel and inhuman treatment.”
“Given the severity of Al A’rbeed’s injuries, we call for the immediate opening of a criminal investigation into the case.”
“We have also received information that at least three more people arrested in the context of the same investigation have been held in incommunicado detention for a prolonged period of time,” the statement added.
OHCHR called upon “Israel to revise its laws, policies and practices to bring them in line with its obligations under international law, in particular the Convention Against Torture, and ensure that all instances and allegations of torture and ill-treatment are investigated promptly, independently, effectively and impartially.”
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