A coalition of four NGOs said they are gravely concerned about the appointment of Carmi Gilon, the former head of Israelis General Security Service (GSS), as ambassador to Denmark, starting next month.
"We call upon the Danish government to ensure that its police and prosecutors investigate and, if appropriate, indict Gilon for violation of the convention against torture (CAT), should he take up his post as Israeli ambassador in Denmark," added the NGO coalition, cited by the Kuwaiti official news agency (KUNA).
According to the coalition, as the head of the GSS from 1995-1996, Gilon was responsible for the interrogation of at least 320 Palestinians being detained by the Shin Bet, during which they were reportedly subjected to torture and other forms of cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment. "Gilon has admitted to having authorized the use of torture against Palestinian detainees in his autobiography. During his tenure, Gilon was reportedly at odds with then-attorney general Michael Ben Yair, who demanded that the use of violent and illegal means of torture be minimized.
Gilon, however, recommended and authorized 'special measures' in interrogation, such as violent shaking, which, in the case of Abed Al Samad Hreizat, lead to the detainee’s death, said the NGOs.
Other forms of torture used during interrogation include: being tied up in painful positions (known as shabeh), being forced to crouch for extended period, hooding; and lengthy periods of sleep deprivation.
"Gilon has justified these measures as having been a necessity in the fight against terror, in a recent interview with Danish newspaper Jyllands-Postens," said the coalition.
The NGOs are the Association for The Prevention of Torture (APT), the International Federation of Action by Christians for The Abolition of Torture, the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), Redress, and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), according to the report – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
