Indonesia condemns Israeli law on Palestinian prisoners, urges UN intervention

Indonesia Wednesday slammed Israel over the law to impose the death penalty on Palestinian prisoners, calling for intervention by the UN.

Strongly condemning the Israeli parliament's approval of legislation imposing the death penalty on Palestinian detainees, the Indonesian Foreign Ministry said: "Such a policy is unacceptable and undermines the sense of justice as well as universal humanitarian values."

"The law is a grave violation of international human rights and humanitarian law, particularly the Fourth Geneva Convention, as well as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to life and the right to a fair trial," the ministry said in a statement to Anadolu.

The Knesset, Israel's legislative assembly, passed the controversial law Monday evening with a vote of 62-48. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also voted in its support.

Under the law, executions will be carried out by hanging, conducted by prison guards appointed by the Israeli Prison Service. Those involved are to have anonymity and legal immunity.

Jakarta called on Israel to "immediately revoke the legislation and cease all actions that contravene international law, and to ensure the protection of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, including detainees."

"Indonesia also calls on the international community, in particular the United Nations, to take firm measures to ensure accountability and protection for the Palestinian people. Indonesia reaffirms its full support for the struggle of the Palestinian people to achieve independence, with East Jerusalem as its capital," said the statement.