On Sunday, 9 December 2018, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights submitted a request for investigation into the beating of H.M., 46, an inmate in Khan Younis’ Asdaa Reform and Rehabilitation Center. H.M., a resident of Khan Younis, was taken for medical treatment after he was beaten by personnel in Asdaa. Al Mezan’s submission was made to the general director of Reform and Rehabilitation Centers in the Gaza Strip.

Al Mezan’s documentation shows that at 4pm on Thursday, 6 December 2018, H.M. was beaten in his room following a quarrel with a member of staff at Asdaa. He was handcuffed and hit with a rubber hose until he fell unconscious to the ground. He was then taken to Naser Medical Complex in western Khan Younis for treatment, before returning to Asdaa.

Al Mezan stresses that practices such as the beating of H.M. are in violation of human rights, particularly inmates’ rights to physical integrity. Paragraph One of Article 13 of the Basic Palestinian Law mandates that “[n]o person shall be subject to any duress or torture. Indictees and all persons deprived of their freedom shall receive proper treatment.” Article 29 of the Penal Procedure Law No. 3 of 2001 stress that, should a person be arrested or imprisoned by competent authorities as designated by the law, “[h]e must be treated in a manner that will preserve his dignity and may not be physically or morally harmed.” Article 37 of the Penal Procedure Law further stresses the protection of persons against forms of ill-treatment, in line with established standards for human rights, especially Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and provisions of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Mindful of Palestinian Law No. 6 of 1998, which regulates the punishment of inmates who violate their detention compliance duties, Al Mezan demands that competent authorities, led by the General Directorate of Reform and Rehabilitation Centers, honor their national and international legal obligations and take prompt action to bring justice.