A/HRC/22/59 D. Reports of torture and other forms of ill-treatment taking place during house searches 35. Ten of those interviewed reported being beaten or witnessing others being beaten during house searches. There are corroborated reports of adult men being beaten — and killed — by members of the army during house searches in Mara’and, Idlib governorate between 23 and 28 August, as well as in villages in Dara’a governorate during October. Reports were also received of individuals being beaten during house searches in Jabal alZawiya in Idlib governorate (July), Saqba in Damascus governorate (July), Qastal Ma’af and other Turkmen villages in Latakia governorate (early September) and the Al-Ghadam area of Damascus (December). 36. The commission notes with concern that in seven of the ten incidents reported, the beatings were a prelude to executions. One interviewee, speaking about house searches in Mare’a, Idlib stated that the adult males — including her husband — were taken outside the house. Their bruised bodies were later found, with their eyes gouged out. 37. In a house search in a village in Dara’a governorate in early October, men were beaten before being taken away from the house and executed. In another search, also taking place in a village in Dara’a governorate in early October, Shabbiha entered a house and began beating the interviewee’s husband before taking him outside and killing him by firing multiple shots at his chest and abdomen. In a third house search which took place in a different Dara’a village in late October, three adult men were tortured, including being cut with knives. Only one, the interviewee, survived as a result, he believes, of being mistaken for dead while unconscious. E. Conditions of detention 38. Most detainees described being held in over-crowded cells. The size of the cells varied, as did the number of detainees being held in each cell. Ten interviewees reported that the cells were so overcrowded that it was impossible to lie prone, with two saying it was also not possible to sit. Five interviewees reported that they were held in underground cells, with no access to light. Two stated that cold water was thrown on them at intervals during the night by the guards. 39. Interviewees highlighted the lack of medical care provided to them during their detention. Several described returning to their cells, or seeing cell mates returned to their cells, with untreated injuries. Two interviewees stated that other detainees in their cells died as a result of their wounds and the bodies remained in the cells for several hours before being removed by guards. None was seen by any medical personnel. 40. Multiple detainees stated that they were provided with inadequate food and water during their detention. One detainee stated that he and detainees held with him went without food and water for days at a time. Another stated that he and other detainees had to drink their own urine in order to survive. Four detainees reported that their cells were not equipped with toilets and that detainees often had to relieve themselves in the cells as they were not permitted to exit the cells to go to the bathrooms. 41. These accounts, if verified, would amount to the breach of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners. 72 GE.13-10627