The UN human rights chief has criticised Israel's law on the death penalty for Palestinians. He stressed that the law is discriminatory and may qualify as a war crime.
UN criticism of the new law
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said that the Israeli law on the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks on Israelis is discriminatory. According to him, the law may violate international law and qualify as a war crime.
Turk stressed that the application of the death penalty only to Palestinians violates the principle of equality and poses risks to justice. The UN calls on Israel to abolish this law.
International reaction
International human rights organisations have also expressed concern about the new law. They emphasise that the death penalty does not prevent violence and contradicts fundamental human rights.
Countries of the European Union and other states have called on Israel to reconsider its decision. They point to possible consequences for Israel's relations with the international community.
Context.
The Israeli parliament passed a law that allows the death penalty to be applied to Palestinians convicted of fatal terrorist attacks. The law was widely criticised both inside and outside the country.
The UN has repeatedly spoken out against the death penalty and called on all countries to abandon this practice.
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