JEDDAH, April 1, 2026 (WAFA) – The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned Israel, the occupying power, for enacting a discriminatory law authorizing the imposition of the death penalty on Palestinian detainees.

The Commission, in a statement, considered this measure a violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Commission emphasized the discriminatory nature of this contested legislation, which specifically targets Palestinians and raises serious concerns about the lack of fair trial guarantees and due process safeguards. “These unlawful measures threaten to entrench inequality before the law and undermine fundamental principles of justice and non-discrimination, particularly with regard to the right to life and the protection of persons under occupation.”

The Commission expressed its deep concern about the ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees, including reports of torture, inhuman or degrading treatment and denial of basic rights, which constitute serious violations of international legal obligations and warrant an immediate, independent and impartial investigation.

The Commission called on the international community, including relevant United Nations mechanisms, international human rights bodies, and parliamentary institutions, to take appropriate measures within their mandates to pressure Israel, the occupying power, to repeal the law and protect the rights of Palestinian detainees.

The Commission also reaffirmed its continued commitment to monitoring the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories and providing the necessary legal assessments to contribute to the protection of human rights and the promotion of respect for international law.

T.R.