Shaista Aziz, Oxfam's Campaign Engagement Lead, responding to the upcoming vote in the Israeli Knesset on the death penalty bill, said:
“We are horrified to observe that the Israeli Knesset is on the verge of passing the discriminatory law expanding the death penalty.
“The law stipulates that the death penalty will, in practice, apply only to Palestinians and that it is to be the mandatory sentence for judges, even if the prosecution does not seek it. The law also stipulates that the death penalty must be carried out within 90 days of the verdict being handed down. Those sentenced to death must remain in solitary confinement and are not permitted to receive visits from family members. Furthermore, information regarding the execution of the sentence as well as the conditions of detention is kept secret. Military courts can impose the death penalty with a simple majority of judges.
“With these and other provisions, the law violates the provisions of the Geneva Conventions, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention Against Torture, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
“As an organisation committed to upholding international law and human rights, we call on the UK government to exert decisive pressure on the Israeli government and the Knesset through all diplomatic and public channels to stop this legislation.
“International law and human rights must apply equally to all states. The UK government must no longer apply double standards when it comes to Israel. Words of warning alone are no longer enough.”
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