UN panel says Israel operating ‘de facto policy of torture’ – BBC

Report on Findings of the UN Committee Against Torture Regarding Israel

1.0 Introduction and Executive Summary

The United Nations Committee Against Torture has concluded its periodic review of Israel, a signatory to the Convention against Torture. The committee’s findings indicate evidence of a “de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture” against Palestinian detainees. These practices represent profound violations of international human rights law and significantly undermine progress towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

2.0 Committee Findings on Detention Practices and Conditions

Based on testimony from governmental and non-governmental human rights organizations, the committee detailed numerous allegations concerning the treatment of thousands of Palestinians detained since October 7th, 2023. The findings highlight a systemic disregard for the rule of law and human dignity, directly impeding the achievement of SDG 16.3 (Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice).

2.1 Legal and Procedural Violations

The committee expressed grave concern over Israeli laws that facilitate prolonged detention without due process, a practice inconsistent with the principles of SDG 16.

• Administrative Detention and Unlawful Combatants Law: These legal frameworks permit holding suspects for extended periods without access to legal counsel or family contact.
• Enforced Disappearance: The practice of detaining individuals without informing their families of their whereabouts was identified by the committee as amounting to “enforced disappearance,” a severe human rights violation.
• Targeting Vulnerable Groups: The application of the Unlawful Combatants law to detain entire groups, including children, pregnant women, and the elderly, was particularly criticized. This directly contravenes SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16.2 (End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children).

2.2 Allegations of Torture and Inhumane Treatment

The reported conditions in detention centers constitute severe breaches of international conventions and obstruct fundamental human development goals.

1. Violation of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Detainees are allegedly deprived of adequate food and water. Furthermore, reports indicate they are denied access to toilets and forced to wear diapers, a direct affront to the sanitation targets of SDG 6.
2. Violation of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The committee received evidence of severe physical and psychological abuse, including:
   • Severe beatings
   • Attacks by dogs
   • Electrocution
   • Waterboarding
   • Sexual violence
   • Permanent shackling

Such acts were concluded by the committee to amount to “war crimes and crimes against humanity” and were cited as evidence of acts that constitute the crime of genocide under international law.

3.0 International Law, Accountability, and State Response

3.1 Legal Obligations and Accountability

The committee reiterated that the prohibition on torture is absolute under the Convention against Torture, to which Israel is a party. It stressed that violations by one party do not justify violations by another. The lack of investigations or prosecutions into these allegations was a point of major concern, highlighting a failure to uphold SDG 16.3 and SDG 16.A (Strengthen relevant national institutions). The committee called for:

• Immediate, independent investigations into all allegations of torture.
• Accountability for all responsible parties, including senior military officers.

3.2 Israel’s Position

During the hearings, Israel’s ambassador described the allegations as “disinformation,” stating that Israel is “committed to upholding its obligations in line with our moral values and principles.” Israel has consistently rejected accusations of genocide. The state’s interpretation that the Convention against Torture does not apply to the occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank is disputed by many international legal experts and complicates the universal application of justice envisioned in SDG 16.

4.0 Broader Context and Humanitarian Implications

The committee’s findings are situated within a context of increasing international scrutiny of Israel’s human rights record. The dire humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, where thousands of families face inadequate shelter and aid shortages, further challenge the realization of numerous SDGs, including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This is the most relevant SDG. The article’s core theme revolves around allegations of torture, unlawful detention, the absence of due process, and the lack of accountability for human rights violations. These issues directly challenge the goal of promoting peaceful societies, providing access to justice, and building effective, accountable institutions.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The article explicitly mentions “sexual violence” as one of the alleged abuses against detainees. This connects to SDG 5, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. While the article does not specify the gender of the victims, sexual violence is a key concern of this goal.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The described conditions in detention, such as being “deprived of food and water, and subjected to severe beatings, attacks by dogs, electrocution, water boarding,” directly impact the physical and mental health of individuals, which is the central focus of SDG 3.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article’s description of “severe beatings,” “electrocution,” and treatment amounting to “war crimes and crimes against humanity” directly contravenes this target.
   • Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” The UN committee’s criticism of Israel’s use of the Unlawful Combatants law to detain “children” makes this target highly relevant.
   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The article highlights practices such as holding detainees “for long periods without access to a lawyer or family members” and the “lack of investigations or prosecutions,” which are clear failures in upholding the rule of law and providing access to justice.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.” The specific mention of “sexual violence” against detainees directly relates to the aim of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators for SDG 16

   • Number of individuals held without access to legal counsel: The article states that under Israeli law, suspects “can be held for long periods without access to a lawyer or family members.” This can be used as an indicator for Target 16.3.
   • Number of cases of enforced disappearance: The article notes that the UN committee classified the months-long wait for families to learn of a loved one’s detention as “enforced disappearance,” providing a measurable indicator for Target 16.3.
   • Number of investigations and prosecutions for torture allegations: The committee’s concern over the “lack of investigations or prosecutions into allegations of torture” implies that the number of such actions is a key indicator of accountability and progress toward Target 16.3.
   • Prevalence of torture and ill-treatment in detention: Testimonies from rights groups detailing “severe beatings, attacks by dogs, electrocution, water boarding, and sexual violence” serve as qualitative indicators for Targets 16.1 and 16.2.

2. Indicators for SDG 5

   • Number of reported incidents of sexual violence in detention: The article’s mention of “sexual violence” as a form of abuse suggests that tracking the frequency of such incidents is a direct indicator for Target 5.2.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com