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A Cry For Help: Torture in Ashkelon
Prison This
shocking letter was received last month. We hope that the publicity will
put a stop to Palestinians torturing other Palestinians inside Israeli
prisons.
To Mr. Bassem Eid, head of the Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group.
From the depths of suffering and anguish behind cell walls, my brothers
and I send you our cry for help.
On this occasion we are not protesting against the injustice of the warden
and the occupation, but against the barbarity and savagery of Hamas. We
have been suffering for a year and a half now. We are Hamas combatants who
are being tortured and killed by Hamas in Ashkelon Prison.
Some of us were killed, suffered from paralysis and disability in hands
and others lost their testicles. No reason has been given for this
treatment. This torture of Hamas to its own soldiers didn't take place
secretly but in front of all other organizations, who have shown no
reaction.
We knocked at all the doors, sent letters to leaders in the Palestinian
Authority, heads of Hamas, but unfortunately to no effect. We are
suffering badly. We always hear you condemning the actions of the
Palestinian Authorities against prisoners in the Palestinian jails. Hamas
has gone far beyond that, and this is a fact with several evidences and
x-rays of the tortured organs. As I mentioned earlier we have sent letters
to Hamas leaders and other organizations, requesting for a verification
committee, and we in turn believe that our request is very legal and
legitimate. The other organizations agreed to our request, but when we sat
to discuss it, it was denied.
Dear brother, our children, wives, parents and we are suffering badly. Our
parents contacted Hisham Abed El Razek (responsible for prisoners on
behalf of the PNA), and he himself contacted Ashkelon prison so as to
release us from the solitary confinement ward (where we were placed for
our own protection), and place us in open cells with Fatah prisoners.
Hamas did not allow this, claiming that there is a document forbidding
that.
We didn't lose hope in justice so we contacted the Mandela Institute, but
to no effect. We didn't despair, and contacted other officials in the
Palestinian Authority. This hasn't helped either. We heard condemnations
of the High Court of Justice (in Israel) decision because it allowed the
authorities to torture a prisoner (Hamdan) so that he would confess. But
what about us? We are about 200 combatants being severely tortured not by
the occupation but from Hamas our own organization. You ought to protest
and rail against these massacres and slaughters.
Our parents contacted leaders in the Hamas, but they were told that we are
virtuous and that they must not listen to misleading rumors. When they
contacted the families of those responsible for massacres, they refused to
take responsibility.
We don't know who is responsible, because everyone is claiming he is not.
A leaflet was published (outside the prison) condemning these actions
directly and placing all the blame and responsibility on Hamas in Ashkelon
Prison. Five of us have been killed so far.
We ask you in the name of God, and humanity, to help us, and to try your
best to bring us out of this rotten situation.
(signed) Your suffering brothers in Ashkelon, Individual cell 22.
15/12/96
of God, and humanity, to help us, and to try your best to bring us out of
this rotten situation.
(signed) Your suffering brothers in Ashkelon, Individual cell 22.
15/12/96
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