HL Deb 19 February 1997 vol 578 cc51-2WA
Lord Hylton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they have about the numbers and conditions of persons arrested by the Palestinian National Authority and held without charge or trial and what information they have about deaths in custody and the use of torture.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Since the creation of the Palestinian Authority, some hundreds of Palestinians have been held without charge or trial. In the same period, 12 Palestinians have died in custody in circumstances which suggest that torture cannot be ruled as a contributory factor in the cause of death. I made plain our concerns to President Arafat when we met on 23 January.