CRIMINAL INTERROGATIONS

Criminal Interrogations

Criminal Interrogations

Introduction

The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territory? including Jerusalem? and the resulting conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis has reached terrifying heights today. Every day the world listens to more news of bloodshed caused by this horrible situation.

Israeli has become the focus of international scrutiny as its interrogation methods are increasingly being condemned many human rights groups around the world as well as the United Nations. The war on terrorism by the U.S. also has raised concerns about their use of interrogation methods as well by some circles. Because of these issues? human rights have become a hot topic for debate around the world and continue to raise questions about how human rights are being violated everyday in the process.

This paper will examine the criminal history and the interrogation methods and techniques used by both nations today.

Israel

The United Nations Committee against Torture? a committee of international experts? stated in 1997 and 1998 that Israel's interrogation methods constituted torture or ill treatment banned by the convention. The committee also stated "Israel is the only country in the world to have effectively legalized torture by authorizing interrogators to use these methods.”

The Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territory? and the policies and practices of the Occupying Power in the aftermath has left behind a history of bloodshed for the peoples of Palestine. The occupation was the starting point of criminal history by Israel? which not only occupied Palestinian territory? but also transformed the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory from one of occupation to one of actual colonization of the Palestinian land. They have denied the legitimate national rights of a whole people at the end of the twentieth century a time when the phenomenon of colonization has long been deceased in other parts of the world

The occupation is very unique because of the recurring nature and intensity of Israel's grave breaches of the 4th Geneva Convention and other acts contrary to its provisions? which has created tremendous suffering by the Palestinian civilian population. These breaches and crimes against human rights are being carried out for almost 32 years in blatant violation of several Security Council and U.N. resolutions. International calls for a peaceful settlement and awarding of an independent state for the Palestinian people have gone unheeded by Israel? which continues to carry out criminal acts.

On June 17? 2001? a controversial documentary "The Accused" by journalist Fergal was aired by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The documentary related to the horrific massacre of hundreds of Palestinian men? women and children that occurred in Sabra and Shatila in Lebanon in 1982. The independent Kahan Commission placed responsibility for the "war crime massacre" on the present Prime Minister of Israel? Ariel Sharon? but he has never been brought to trial. Both the BBC and reporter Fergal Keane have come under extreme attack by international Zionists and by the present Israeli government since the documentary was aired in Europe.

There are many who believe that Ariel Sharon should be indicted ...