JERUSALEM – Amnesty International has appealed to Israel to end the practiceof imprisoning Palestinians suspected of militant activity withouttrial, calling in a report issued Tuesday for release of hundredsof detainees. The London-based rights group claimed that the prisoners aremistreated and that Israel is violating international law with itspractice, known as "administrative detention," which Israel says isvital to prevent attacks. The report, "Starved of Justice: Palestinians Detained WithoutTrial by Israel," lists torture and inadequate medical treatment inprison among violations it says are associated with the practice. "Israel has a duty to uphold due process and fair trial rights, andto take effective action to end torture and other ill-treatment ofdetainees," said Sanjeev Bery of Amnesty International in astatement. The practice drew attention recently when Palestinian prisonerswent on a hunger strike to protest against it. Two men, ThaerHalahleh and Bilal Diab, were on hunger strike for more than 70days. Both are members of Islamic Jihad, a violent Palestinianmilitant group that has killed hundreds of Israelis and maimed manymore in suicide bombings, shootings and other attacks. Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev denied the allegations oftorture, saying it is forbidden in Israel, and said that prisonersare treated well and receive good medical care. Under administrative detention, Israel can keep some prisoners incustody for months — even years — without charges.Israel has defended it as a necessary tool to stop militantactivity. "Amnesty International is calling for an end to the practice andthe immediate release of all administrative detainees unless theyare legitimately charged with an internationally recognized crimeand tried according to fair trial standards," the report said. The 51-page report includes statements from Palestinians whoexperienced administrative detention. Regev said administrative detention is only used to hold those whopose an immediate security threat. "If we get information fromsomeone whose neighbor is making explosives for suicide bombers andthat evidence is presented in court, then terror groups will takeviolent action against him and his family," Regev said. "Administrative detention is specifically allowed underinternational law, and it is factually incorrect to say otherwise,"Regev said, pointing to Article 78 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.He said that other Western countries have the same practice. Regev said administrative detention is used as a last resort, andthe practice isn't used only against Palestinians believed to beinvolved in terrorism but is also imposed on Israeli extremists. About 300 Palestinians are currently held in administrativedetention, a sharp decline from past years. About a dozen Israeliswere also held under the policy last year, the government said. Critics condemn it because there are no charges, and judges cankeep on extending detention time. Regev said there is a mechanism of checks and balances in place tosafeguard the process from abuse — judges review evidence andprisoners can appeal their detention. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Teflon Ptfe Sheet Manufacturer , Gasket Rubber Sheet for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Ptfe Teflon Gasket.
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