UN experts slam Israeli 'terrorist' death penalty bill

GENEVA, Feb 4: United Nations experts on Wednesday called on Israel to withdraw a bill proposing the mandatory death penalty for terrorist acts, warning it would violate the right to life and discriminate against Palestinians.

Israel's parliament last November passed a first reading of a draft amendment to the country's penal code, demanded by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.

"Mandatory death sentences are contrary to the right to life," a dozen independent UN rights experts warned in a statement. �"AFP