The Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories (B’Tselem) reported that a Palestinian child was tortured by Israeli soldiers while arresting him and was also tortured in an Israeli prison during interrogation.
The child, Majid Jaradat, 13, was kidnapped by the army on November 13, 2007, after the soldiers claimed that he hurled stones at them during a demonstration in Sa’ir village, near the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
In his affidavit, Jaradat stated that he was severely beaten by the soldiers when they arrested him and that they kicked him on his back.
He added that the abuse continued after he was moved to Azion Police Station as he was beaten by the interrogators. Following interrogation, Jaradat was moved to Ofer detention facility.
Jaradat was later on “convicted” of hurling stones at the soldiers and was sentenced to two months.
B’Tselem reported that since the beginning of the second intifada in late September 2000, Israeli soldiers kidnapped 350-400 underage Palestinians. By June 30 2008, 311 underage Palestinians were imprisoned by Israel.
B’Tselem stated that the International Law states that underage prisoners should be separated from adult prisoners, and added that underage Israeli prisoners are not confined with adult ones, but underage Palestinian detainees who are suspected of “committing security violations” whether convicted or not are subjected to violations and are imprisoned with adult prisoners.
The International Law states that underage detainees should receive special treatment and should e provided with their needs including being allowed to continue their educational process and receiving the needed social and psychological support, including family visitations.
