UN report accuses Israel of 'de facto' state policy of torture

A UN report has accused Israel of having a "de facto" state policy of torture for Palestinian prisoners.

The UN Committee Against Torture said on Friday that use of torture by the Israeli state was "organised and widespread" and had greatly increased since the beginning of the war on Gaza on 7 October 2023.

The report noted that Israel had no legislation criminalising torture, and said its legislation allowed public officials to be exempted from criminal culpability under the principle of "necessity".

"The committee was deeply concerned about reports indicating a de facto state policy of organised and widespread torture and ill-treatment during the reporting period, which had gravely intensified since 7 October 2023," the report said.

"It also expressed its concern that a range of policies adopted by Israel in the course of its continued unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, if implemented in the manner alleged, would amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading living conditions for the Palestinian population."

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