Conflict Incident Report

May 20–September 2, 2007: Around 200 people were arrested for suspected involvement with Fatah al-Islam, and many were tortured by Lebanese soldiers and ISF. According to a coalition of NGOs: • The majority of the arrests took place at Lebanese Army checkpoints and without a proper judiciary order. • All the detainees were denied legal representation while in military custody. • Most of the arrested Palestinians have continued to be detained, without fair trial, or were tried before the military court. • More than 200 cases of torture and ill treatment were documented, including two cases of death during investigation and detention. The vast majority of the victims were arrested at checkpoints at the outskirts of the camp by military intelligence, transferred to the Ministry of Defense, and then to the Roumieh Prison. The methods of torture documented include severe beatings, the “Balanco” (in which the prisoner is suspended and whipped), deprivation of food, forced confessions, electric shocks, and other methods conducted by Lebanese security forces.