Discussion between Human Rights Organizations and Preventive Security Forces about Palestine’s obligations to UN Convention against Torture

The Center for Defense of Liberties and Civil Rights “Hurryyat,” along with the Independent Commission for Human Rights, initiated a round table meeting with the participation of the Preventive Security Forces, the Human Rights Organizations Council, and the Palestinian Coalition against Torture discussing Palestine’s obligations following the accession to the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT) and ways of improving the performance of Palestine regarding this matter at all levels.

A number of recommendations ensued from the meeting mainly the significance of prohibiting torture following the Palestinian Basic Law, developing mechanisms of tracking and monitoring through conducting visits to interrogation and detention centers, and the importance of adapting the Palestinian legislations and the Penal Code to the UNCAT standards, in order to realize a Palestinian society free from torture.

The participants affirmed their commitment to enhance and reinforce communication between the Human Rights Organizations and the Preventive Security Forces to address any possible cases of torture for what this issue represents as a national necessity in context of the recent diplomatic, political and legal challenges facing Palestine in ending the occupation and holding perpetrators accountable for their crimes.