Download the full statement here
On Tuesday, 24 March 2026, the Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied Since 1967, Ms. Francesca Albanese, held a press conference to discuss the report, Torture and Genocide.
The report, which was presented at the 61st session of the Human Rights Council the previous day, discussed Israel’s systematic use of torture against Palestinians since 7 October 2023. Torture – the intentional infliction of severe pain or suffering, physical or mental, for purposes including intimidation and coercion or for any reason based on discrimination – has become widespread and is integral to Israel’s domination and punishment of Palestinians in custodial and non-custodial settings. Torture by Israel, according to Albanese, was not incidental, but was intrinsically purposeful, whose purpose, in this particular context, can indicate an intention to destroy Palestinians.
The findings of this report align with other reports by United Nations bodies which detail gross human rights violations committed by Israel against Palestinians, and the International Court of Justice, which said that Israel had abused its position as occupying power in its unlawful occupation.
Violence against Palestinians, according to Albanese, had escalated since October 2023, but the current conflict in the Middle East had made the situation worse.
Beyond bringing attention to the human rights violations suffered by Palestinians at the hands of Israel, Albanese wanted to remind states of their negative and positive legal obligations to not render assistance to Israel to maintain the illegal occupation, and this prohibition includes financial, economic, military, and technological assistance, as per the International Court of Justice.
ACHRS will continue to monitor and report on events at the Human Rights Council which are relevant to our priorities or countries in the Arab Region. ACHRS will provide a comprehensive analysis of the reports at the conclusion of the 61st session of the Human Rights Council.
