Shabak technique
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The Shabak (or Shabach) technique is a controversial torture technique allegedly used by the Israeli government (specifically Shin Bet, also known as the General Security Service or Shabak, after which the technique is named) on Palestinian suspects during interrogation. It involves forcing the subject to sit on a short stool or chair which is angled forward (so that it is impossible to sit in a comfortable, stable position), and then tying their arms and legs behind them to the chair, while also covering their head with a bag and possibly subjecting them to extremely loud noise, such as music. The subject is then left in this condition for extended periods of time. Sleep is not allowed for the duration.
This method was considered by the Israeli Supreme Court on September 6, 1999, which prohibited this method, along with all other forms of torture and physical pressures. Israel is the only country in the world whose judiciary has fully confronted the issue of torture, and unconditionally prohibited it under any circumstances. Thus if Shin Bet does in fact use this technique, it may be considered torture and therefore illegal under international law. In 2000 an official Israeli government report was released, after being kept secret for five years, in which the government admitted torturing Palestinian detainees between 1988 and 1992.
[edit] References
- "Israeli 'torture' methods illegal", BBC, September 6, 1999.
