Geneva (HRNW)- United Nations human rights experts have urged Israel to withdraw a proposed law imposing the mandatory death penalty for alleged terrorism offences, warning that it would violate the fundamental human right to life and disproportionately target Palestinians. More than a dozen independent UN experts stated that the Israeli parliament initially approved the bill in November last year, following a request by far-right National Security Minister Itmar Ben-Gweir. According to the experts, mandatory death sentences undermine judicial principles by preventing courts from considering circumstances, intent, or mitigating factors. If enacted, military courts in the West Bank could impose the death penalty even in cases of unintentional killings, while in Israel and occupied East Jerusalem, the punishment would be limited to intentional killings of Israeli citizens or residents. UN experts also warned that Israel’s vague and broad definition of terrorism could criminalize acts that do not truly qualify as terrorism, and trials of Palestinian civilians in military courts are generally unfair by international standards. The statement highlighted that the law would allow death sentences to be imposed by a simple majority of military judges. Hamas condemned the bill as a symbol of Israeli extremism and fascism, while the Palestinian Foreign Ministry called it a means to further escalate Israeli crimes against Palestinians.
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