UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk. UN human rights chief calls on Israel to abolish death penalty law for Palestinians Human rights
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday called on Israel to repeal a law passed by that country’s parliament on March 30 reinstating the death penalty in language that applies almost exclusively to Palestinians.
“I am deeply disappointed that this bill was approved by the Knesset,” Turk said. “It clearly contradicts Israel’s international obligations, including the right to life.” It raises serious concerns about violations of due process, is deeply discriminatory and must be immediately repealed.”
Among other things, the law establishes hanging as the “default” punishment for Palestinians found guilty of deadly attacks on Israelis in the occupied West Bank. It also stipulates that death sentences must be carried out within 90 days, which is itself a violation of international humanitarian law. The law also does not provide for the possibility of pardon, as required by international human rights law.
The death penalty is difficult to reconcile with respect for human dignity, and its use carries an unacceptably high risk of taking the lives of innocent people
“The death penalty is difficult to reconcile with respect for human dignity, and its use carries an unacceptably high risk of taking innocent lives,” the High Commissioner said. “Using such practices in a discriminatory manner would constitute an additional and particularly egregious violation of international law.” Applying it to the inhabitants of the Occupied Palestinian Territory would be considered a war crime.”
The High Commissioner also expressed concern about the provisions of another bill before the Knesset: it would create a Special (Military) Court dedicated solely to trying crimes committed by Palestinian armed groups during and after the attacks of October 7, 2023. The proposed special court will have no jurisdiction over crimes committed by Israeli forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
“I call on the Knesset to reject this bill. It focuses exclusively on crimes committed by Palestinians and thus institutionalizes discriminatory and one-sided justice,” Turk said. – Trials for crimes related to October 7 are extremely important, but they should not be based on discrimination. All victims are entitled to equal protection of the law, and all perpetrators must be held accountable without discrimination.”
Such legislative steps, the High Commissioner said, “would exacerbate Israel’s violation of the prohibition of racial segregation and apartheid by targeting Palestinians in a discriminatory manner.”