Human Rights Watch: Hamas Abusing Citizens in Gaza

Int’l human rights group releases detailed report detailing severe abuses such as unfair trials, torture of their detainees & arrests without warrants.

Human Rights Watch released a report Wednesday which revealed that Hamas’ security forces in Gaza are committing severe abuses, including torture of detainees, arrests without warrants, forced confessions, unfair trials and mock executions.

Palestinian prisoner at Hamas prison in Gaza - AP - 2007


In this July 9, 2007 file photo, a Palestinian prisoner is seen at the Hamas-controlled Saraya prison in Gaza City. – Photo by AP

The leading international rights group released a 43-page report on Wednesday and called on the militant Hamas group to reform its various security forces.

Hamas took over Gaza in 2007 after bloody battles with the Western-backed Palestinian Fatah party.

Since then, the Palestinians have been split between the Hamas-controlled Gaza and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ government in the West Bank.

Hamas is considered a terror group by the U.S., the EU and Israel due to its suicide bombings and other attacks aimed at civilians that have killed hundreds of people.

There was no immediate reaction in Gaza to the report.

View original HAARETZ publication at: http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/human-rights-watch-hamas-abusing-palestinians-in-gaza-1.468075