MPR Deputy Chairman Condemns Israel's Law on Death Penalty for Palestinian Prisoners
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Hidayat Nur Wahid, known as HNW, the Deputy Chairman of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), has strongly condemned the death penalty law recently passed by Israel, which has the potential to be applied discriminatorily against captured Palestinian people.
He called on the international community concerned with human rights and democracy not to remain silent regarding Israel’s ongoing human rights violations. Unfortunately, he stated that this was carried out by its democratic institution, the Knesset (Israel’s House of Representatives), which instead justifies it.
“Those who support the bill include Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been issued an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for violations of law through his genocide against the people of Gaza/Palestine,” HNW said in a written statement received in Jakarta on Friday.
He stated that the execution of the death penalty against Palestinian prisoners constitutes a crime that violates international law and human rights principles, especially when it is generalised to Palestinian prisoners who resist to achieve freedom from the oppression and occupation carried out by Israel against the Palestinian people.
“This is clearly an ongoing form of human rights violation, and it is fitting for the international community concerned with human rights and democracy to immediately act to correct and stop it,” he said.
In addition, he appreciated the stance of the United Nations Human Rights Office, which has issued a strong condemnation statement regarding this potentially discriminatory legislative product against the Palestinian people.
He requested that the UN Human Rights Office not only issue statements but also immediately coordinate with all international human rights activists, including those in Israel, to reject and seek to annul this legislative product.
In addition to the UN Human Rights Office, several parties have also condemned this Israeli action, including the UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, Francesca Albanese. Others, according to him, even equate Israel’s law with Nazi actions that imposed the death penalty based on certain ethnicities.
He stated that Israel’s behaviour towards Palestinian prisoners so far has also shown clear human rights violations, with all forms of torture that contradict humanitarian values. This contrasts with the stance of the Palestinian Resistance Organisation, which maintains and protects Israeli prisoners under its supervision, even from Israeli attacks.
“Israeli prisoners are treated well, their human rights are fulfilled, and they are continuously protected from Israel’s reckless attacks on the Gaza Strip. This shows which nation is more civilised and respects human rights, even in times of war,” he said.
Therefore, the Indonesian Government through the UN Human Rights Council chaired by Indonesia and the Foreign Minister must continue to play its role in efforts to realise the constitutional mandate, to protect and support the Palestinian people in achieving independence and ending Israel’s occupation of Palestine.
“All efforts must be made so that Palestine can exercise its right to self-determination,” he said.