A/HRC/28/80 documented cases of torture and ill–treatment, as well as arbitrary detention, in particular of persons affiliated with political opposition groups. 40. Detainees informed OHCHR that they had often been blindfolded, handcuffed, slapped in the face, beaten on different parts of their bodies, forced into shabeh (a stress position for an extended period of time) and received threats against themselves and their families with the aim of obtaining a confession. In a case monitored by OHCHR in September 2014, a detainee reported being forced to stand with his hands up against the wall for some 13 hours during the first day of his interrogation. On the second day, he was slapped in the face, and kicked in the legs and abdomen for about three hours. The detainee claimed that he confessed in order to avoid further beating. 41. Detention conditions, including overcrowding, inadequate sanitary conditions, and lack of access to natural light and recreational exercise remain causes for concern. Detainees were in many cases held for days in very small cells (approximately 2 by 1.7 metres), with almost no ventilation or natural light. In one case monitored by OHCHR in January 2014, a detainee was held in such a cell for 25 days. He was reportedly transferred to a larger cell with other detainees after he commenced a hunger strike to protest against his conditions of detention. In some cases, detainees were held in such cells for long periods of time, in high temperatures during the summer and cold temperatures in winter. In another case monitored by OHCHR in January 2014, 12 people were held in a small cell (approximately 5 m2). 42. OHCHR documented multiple violations of the right to a fair trial and due process of law. In most cases, individuals were not informed of the reason for their arrest, in violation of article 9.2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Principle l0 of the Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment (see also CCPR/C/GC/35, paras. 25 and 27). Most detainees reported being brought before the court 72 hours after their arrest. 30 International law provides that anyone arrested or detained must be brought promptly before a judge. In its general comment No. 35, the Human Rights Committee stated that any delay longer than 48 hours must remain absolutely exceptional; prolonged detention without judicial control (given that a public prosecutor cannot be considered an officer exercising judicial power under article 9.3 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights) increases the risk of ill-treatment (CCPR/C/GC/35, paras. 32-33). 43. Courts usually extended the detention for investigation purposes for weeks, and, in some cases, months.31 Several detainees reported, however, that they had not been interrogated after their detention had been extended. Although the courts generally review detention orders, they do not appear to be subjecting detention and the action of security 30 31 Palestinian Law of Penal Procedure No. 3 establishes that a detainee may be held for questioning for 24 hours, after which the detainee must be brought before the Prosecutor, who will decide whether to release or to keep the detainee, for a maximum of 48 hours, for further interrogation. Thereafter, any extension of detention requires court authorization (arts. 107, 108 and 115). According to Palestinian Law of Penal Procedure No. 3, art. 120, magistrates courts may extend detention for 15 days during the first hearing. Thereafter, they may extend it for a period not exceeding 45 days in total. Upon request of the Attorney General or his/her assistants, detention may be further extended by a court of first instance for a period not exceeding three months. 11