Sir, – As every day brings more torment for Palestinians, we are horrified to observe that the Israeli Knesset is on the verge of passing a discriminatory law expanding the death penalty this week.
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.
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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.
As an organisation committed to upholding international law and human rights, we call on the Irish Government to exert decisive pressure on the Israeli government and the Knesset through all diplomatic and public channels to stop this legislation. This includes channels relating to trade. Words of warning alone are no longer enough.
Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement unequivocally states that the contracting parties undertake to respect human rights and international law.
The EU itself clearly determined last year that Israel is in violation of these principles. The Irish Government was supportive of a review and complete suspension of the agreement.
A vote to pass the Occupied Territories Bill immediately, with services included, would thereby demonstrate that international law and human rights apply equally to all states.
With the passage of the discriminatory law expanding the death penalty, Israel has once again crossed a “red line” with regard to the rule of law and humanity. – Yours, etc,
JIM CLARKEN,
Chief executive,
Oxfam Ireland,
Dublin 4.
