today’s ” AR-online” again AR-Online recent issues: May 1999 April 1999 March 1999 February 1999 January 1999 December 1998 November 1998 October 1998 September 1998 May 26, 1999 Torture Ban Argued in Israe l MARK LAVIE Associated Press Writer JERUSALEM (AP) — In a landmark case before Israel’s Supreme Court, human rights lawyers argued Wednesday that torture of Palestinian suspects is illegal and should be banned, but admitted that there are cases in
which physical abuse might be acceptable. Arguing for an injunction against interrogation tactics by Shin Bet security service on suspected Palestinian militants, human rights lawyer Lea Tsemel told the court of Palestinian clients who had been severely beaten, tied to chairs and walls, deprived of sleep and then released without being charged. “I believe the court must make a clear decision that these things are absolutely forbidden,” she told the nine-judge panel.
Tsemel charged that interrogators try to hide their damage. She showed the court a pair of red and white elastic wrist bands, usually worn by athletes. She said the Shin Bet uses them to cover up their practice of clamping handcuffs so tight that they cause bleeding and swelling. “First they put these on, then the handcuffs,” she said, handing the bands to the state’s attorney, Shai Nitzan .
The Shin Bet received approval for some of its tactics in 1987, when a government commission permitted “moderate physical pressure” as a means of extracting vital information from suspects. The court has upheld that decision successively in appeals brought by individuals who sought injunctions against their interrogators. The case before Israel’s highest court Wednesday was the first time the judges were to consider Israel’s overall policy of using physical force.
The court did not say when they would issue a decision on the continued use of the tactics. Related stories: Canaadian Jewish leader Bernie Farber approves torture of prisoners The above news item is reproduced without editing other than typographical Register your name and address to go on the Mailing List to receive [ Go