Stop Torture

In September 1999, in response to PCATI's petition, nine justices of the High Court ruled to absolutely prohibit the use of torture during interrogation. The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, an independent human rights organization founded in 1990, monitors the implementation of this ruling in detention centers and continues the struggle against the use of torture in interrogation in Israel and the Palestinian Authority through legal means, support of relevant legislation and through an information campaign aimed at raising public awareness of the subject.

The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel:

• Provides legal counsel and aid to victims of torture, advice and assistance to attorneys representing them. PCATI is involved with all investigative authorities in Israel: the Military, Police, GSS etc.
• Actively lobbies against legislation which would allow torture during interrogation and permit the holding of hostages by law.
• Continues the campaign for public opinion in Israel and develops educational programs for the public.
• Acts as a national and international resource center for information on torture and related fields of human rights in Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
• Monitors the implementation of the High Court of Justice decision prohibiting torture in interrogation.

The Public Committee against torture in Israel aims at strengthening democracy and the rule of law by protecting human and civil rights. PCATI believes that the use of torture as a method of interrogation undermines the foundation of democracy in an enlightened society is contrary to Israeli and international conventions, is contrary to the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Freedom, the Penal Code, the laws of evidence and the UN International Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment which was signed by the state of Israel.

http://www.stoptorture.org.il/eng/