Palestinian death:
United Nations calls for independent inquiry
UN: The United Nations called Monday for an independent inquiry into
the death of a Palestinian in Israeli custody, warning that mounting
tensions risk an eruption of violence in the occupied territories.
The Palestinians also demanded an independent investigation in a
letter to the UN Security Council, which said that Arafat Jaradat, who
died at the weekend, could have been tortured.
UN Middle East peace envoy Robert Serry made the call for an
investigation in a statement after talks with Palestinian prime minister
Salam Fayyad on the Jaradat's death.
Serry noted that Israeli and Palestinian experts had examined the
body.
“The United Nations expects the autopsy to be followed by an
independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances of Mr
Jaradat's death, the results of which should be made public as soon as
possible,” the envoy added.
Jaradat was detained on February 18 and died five days later.
Israeli prison authorities said Jaradat appeared to have died of a
heart attack. But the Palestinian minister of prisoner affairs, Issa
Qaraqaa, citing the preliminary findings of the joint autopsy, reported
bruises on Jaradat's body, muscle damage and broken ribs.
A letter sent by Palestinian UN ambassador Riyad Mansour to the
Security Council said the autopsy revealed that Jaradat “was subjected
to severe beatings, abuse and medical negligence during his captivity,
possibly amounting to torture.”
The letter said Jaradat had six broken bones in his neck, spine, arms
and legs, along with other injuries.
Israel has said the prisoner could have suffered broken bones in
attempts to resuscitate him after the heart attack.
“This horrific incident is further proof of the inhumane treatment
systematically meted out by Israel against Palestinians in its jails,”
added the letter, which called for an “impartial investigation” and
Security Council action to make Israel abide by humanitarian law.
AFP
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