UN official cites 'total lack of accountability' in sexual abuse case in Israeli prison
Pramila Patten, the United Nations special representative of the secretary-general on sexual violence in conflict, said alleged abuses against Palestinians at the Sde Teiman prison camp were “an emblematic case which shows the total lack of accountability” enjoyed by perpetrators.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Patten said there was “solid evidence of sexual violence” that caused life-threatening injuries to a Palestinian detainee, citing findings documented by a UN commission of inquiry.
Patten said 10 Israeli soldiers were initially arrested over the alleged rape of the detainee, but noted that “five were immediately released within days” while “five others were put on house arrest”.
“So the case was initially investigated as sexual violence, the indictment did not contain charges of sexual violence – it was only physical assault – and even those charges were dropped. So, where is the accountability?” she added.