Submission of NGO Monitor to the Special Rapporteur on Torture on Global Trends and Developments on Torture

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Introduction

This submission focuses on the rampant campaign of torture within the Palestinian Authority (PA), violating the PA’s obligations under various treaty bodies. This campaign of torture is endemic throughout Palestinian society, targeting women, children, LGBTQ+, “collaborators” with Israel, and perceived opponents of Hamas. Additionally, since the brutal attack by Hamas on October 7th, Hamas has engaged in the torture of more than 200 hostages and their family members, as well as opponents of their regime.

We also call the Rapporteur’s attention to the PA’s political warfare campaign against Israel that prioritizes zero-sum campaigns to demonize Israel at the expense of improving the lives of the Palestinian people – notably in the realms of health, economics, and water. The on-going political infighting between the PA and Hamas has also resulted in human rights violations by both the PA and Hamas against Palestinians primarily in Gaza.