“When it comes to the death penalty, The United Nations is very clear and opposes it in all circumstances.” he said. “It is deeply difficult to reconcile such punishment with human dignity and poses the unacceptable risk of executing innocent people.”
The proposals would lower the threshold for capital punishment and introduce mandatory death sentences that would leave courts without discretion, a move that Türk says violates the right to life and is incompatible with Israel’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“The proposal also raises other human rights concerns, including because it is discriminatory. since it will apply exclusively to Palestinians”he added.
According to the UN human rights chief, the language of the proposed legislation, as well as statements by Israeli politicians, indicate that it is intended to apply only to Palestinians, who are often convicted after unfair trials.
Proposed changes
The proposed changes would modify military law governing the occupied West Bank, require military courts to impose mandatory death sentences for all intentional homicide convictions in the territory.
It would also amend Israel’s Criminal Law to introduce the death penalty for the intentional killing of Israelis in an act of terrorism.
This would have the effect of applying the death penalty retroactively. to those convicted of murders related to the horrific attacks of October 7, 2023, in violation of the principle of legality enshrined in international law.
More than 1,200 Israeli and other citizens were killed and more than 250 taken hostage by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on October 7, 2023, when they stormed communities near Gaza in southern Israel.
In the subsequent Israeli military offensive, more than 70,000 Palestinians are reported to have been killed and many more wounded.
The October ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is maintained, which has allowed aid to increase, but medical services are insufficient and the peace plan remains stalled.