Police Brutality
The relationship between the
Palestinian Police and the residents of the PA have gone through a few
stages. Initially, the uniformed police were a source of pride for the
population. This stage lasted until early 1995. As a result of clashes
with demonstrators, and growing friction between an inadequately trained
police force brought mainly from the 'outside' and the population,
suffering from deteriorating social and political conditions, relations
grew sour.
The legitimacy of the PA increased after the elections of May 1996. The
armed clashes in September 1996 between Israeli troops and the PA security
forces, turned the Police into heroes in the eyes of many Palestinians.
Since then, there has been a marked improvement in the mutual respect
between the Police and the population.
Nonetheless, there are still cases of unwarranted behavior, including
violence and torture, committed by the police. The following is an example
brought to the attention of the PHRMG, representative of the problems that
exist.
The case of Fayez Al-Zir:
Non-Violent Mediation Punished by Police
Fayez Al-Zir (45), father of nine, was visiting
his cousin's house on 14 February at 20:00. There had been a long standing
dispute between two neighboring families, the 'Ulamas and the Natshehs.
Al-Zir was there as a mediator on behalf of the 'Ulamas, and both sides
were pleased with him. According to tradition, greatly strengthened during
the Intifada when Palestinians ceased to turn to the police for internal
mediation, the dispute was solved with a 'sulha' (reconciliatory
ceremony).
It is hard then to understand why the Palestinian police arrived at 23:00,
surrounded the 'Ulama house, and arrested twelve family members. The
family was taken to the police station and questioned by Brigadier General
Tarik Zeid. When Al-Zir tried to intervene and explain the situation, he
was taken away by two policemen who hit and shouted at him. He was then
tied up with a rifle-strap and beaten again with a large stick, and
detained for two days without any further interrogation before being
released.
According to his medical report, Fayez Al-Zir suffered from pain in his
head, limbs, and buttocks as a result of beating. X-rays show that his
left leg was broken as well. While detained, the police told Al-Zir that
disputes must be solved with the help of the police, and not through
unofficial mediators or traditional 'sulha' systems.
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