UN rights chief urges Israel to repeal death penalty law, warns about war crimes

The UN human rights chief urged Israel on Tuesday to revoke its death penalty law, warning against legislative steps targeting Palestinians in violation of international law, Anadolu reports. Volker Turk encouraged Tel Aviv to step back from the controversial law, which applies “almost exclusively to Palestinians.” “It is deeply disappointing that this bill has been approved by the Knesset,” he said, highlighting that it is patently inconsistent with Israel’s international law obligations, including in relation to the right to life. “It raises serious concerns about due process violations, is deeply discriminatory, and must be promptly repealed,” said Turk. Noting that the controversial law provides that the death sentences, once imposed, must be carried out within 90 days, Turk warned that […]