RAMALLAH, June 11, 2015 (WAFA) – Some 95,000 Palestinian children have been detained in the West Bank since it was occupied by Israel in 1967, most of whom were exposed to widespread, systematic and institutionalized abuse, a West Bank-based NGO has revealed.   

In a special report published on Wednesday, Military Court Watch (MCW) cited 200 testimonies of minors detained between 2013 and 2015, and accused the Israeli army of widespread, systematic and institutionalized abuse of Palestinian children arrested in the West Bank.

MCW said some of the children were taken into custody during “terrifying military raids” on their homes at night, and that some 59,000 of them have been subjected to physical torture.

“A common technique employed by the interrogators is to inform the minor that all of the other people detained at the same time have already provided a confession so denial is futile. Aggressive behavior, threats and violence are also sometimes utilized during the interrogation, including threats to beat, rape, hold in solitary confinement, electrocute or shoot the minor,” the report revealed.

The report also stated that 187 of the children interviewed had their hands tied during the first 24 hours of arrest and 165 complained of being blindfolded. 124 other children said they were physically abused. Only eight minors were given access to a lawyer before interrogation and the parents of only seven children were present during their interrogation, the report added.

MCW said it has submitted the report to a United Nations special rapporteur to investigate the 200 cases of torture.

The report came only a day after the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon decided to exclude Israel from the list of countries that commit grave violations against children in armed conflict.

PLO Executive Committee Member Saeb Erekat said the Palestinian Authority was extremely disappointed by Ban’s decision, stressing that Israel's “belligerent military occupation in Palestine has shown through the years a total disregard for the lives and rights of our people, including children”.

“We don't have to remind the Secretary General of the reports made by several UN organizations on the matter, just as those made by Palestinian, Israeli and other international human rights organizations thoroughly outlining Israel's deliberate targeting of civilians, including children,” he said.

Erekat concluded: “The decision of UN Secretary General is wrong, tasteless and unperceptive. The international community must cease avoiding its responsibilities in holding Israel accountable. Only justice will bring about a just and lasting peace.”

M.N/M.H