SAFA – The UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory on Wednesday criticized the Palestinian authorities' continued use of arbitrary detention, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment against Palestinians held in the occupied West Bank on "security grounds," including journalists, dissidents, and political activists.

In a statement, the office said dozens of Palestinians continue to be arbitrarily or unlawfully deprived of their liberty, with many reportedly held under legislation that the Palestinian Supreme Constitutional Court declared unconstitutional. It added that it had documented cases of male detainees, including children, who remained in custody despite court orders directing their release.

The statement also cited reports of torture and other forms of ill-treatment in detention facilities, including painful stress positions, severe beatings, whippings, and prolonged solitary confinement.

Several detainees reported being subjected to a method known in Arabic as "shabeh," in which their hands were shackled behind their backs and they were suspended by their wrists for extended periods.

The office acknowledged that the Palestinian authorities have introduced some legal reforms and expanded engagement with the UN Committee Against Torture in recent years. However, it said further action is needed to safeguard the rights and dignity of people deprived of their liberty.

It urged the authorities to immediately end arbitrary or unlawful detention, torture, and all other forms of ill-treatment, and to ensure that detainees are treated humanely and with respect for their dignity. It also called for regular access to outdoor exercise, adequate living space, sufficient food, medical care, clothing, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as the right to challenge the legality of detention before a court.

The office further called for prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, and effective investigations into all reports of torture and ill-treatment, and urged that those responsible be held accountable.

It also called on the Government of the State of Palestine to implement its commitments through the National Commission Against Torture and under the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. In addition, the office urged the establishment of a National Preventive Mechanism to conduct regular inspections of places of detention.