PCATI’s advocacy department raises awareness and promotes discussion of matters concerning to torture and state violence, in Israel and abroad.

In Israel, we collaborate with Knesset Members, government officials and state ministries to promote legislation and support for bills that might reduce and prevent the use of torture, battling any motions that might increase the use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. Thus, for instance, in October 2020, by the initiative of the advocacy department along with MK Aida Touma-Suleiman, a discussion was held in the Knesset Internal Affairs Committee concerning the brutal conditions in the “Posta” – the prisoner transportation vehicles and transition facilities. The harrowing testimonies brought before the committee have had a far-reaching public impact, and had saw MKs paying surprise visits to transition facilities, demanding that the IPS [Israeli Prison Service] promptly presented plans for remedial action.

At the same time, the department also participates in various international forums, raising awareness to the state of torture in Israel, encouraging decision makers around the world to call on Israel to adhere to the norms established in international law, namely the Covenant against Torture, undersigned and ratified by Israel. As such, the department reports to the UN Committee Against Torture, responsible for the implementation of the Convention against Torture (UNCAT) and the UN Human Rights Committee, responsible for the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).