GENEVA // A UN panel against torture on Friday expressed concerns about allegations of “excessive use of force” by Israeli security forces in Palestinian areas, and warned about authorities barring access to detained suspects, including minors.
The Committee Against Torture, which works under the office of the United Nations human rights chief, released its “concluding observations” about Israel and five other countries – France, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the Philippines – as part of regular reviews by the panel of assenting countries.
In its observations about Israel, the panel pointed to “allegations of excessive use of force, including lethal force, by security forces” at demonstrations and in response to attacks or alleged attacks against Israelis. It also took aim at Israel’s controversial policy of administrative detention, under which it can arrest suspects and hold them without charge for months at a time.
--------------------
READ: 73-year-old's death highlights Israeli extrajudicial killings
--------------------
Israel said it “categorically rejects” the report, with foreign ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon insisting: “Israel does not make use of unnecessary force”.
The UN panel, however, said 700 people – including 12 minors – were reportedly in administrative detention even as its members were discussing the issue with Israeli officials.
Human rights groups have repeatedly accused Israeli security forces of carrying out extrajudicial killings of Palestinians in a wave of violence that broke out at the start of last October.
More than 200 Palestinians have been killed during that time, most of who Israel claims were carrying out – or attempting to carry out – attacks against Israelis. Many of the victims have been teenagers.
Twenty-eight Israelis have been killed in the same time period.
* Associated Press
