Israel vows to improve minority, prisoner rights

[bemildred]

Israel says it will improve treatment of minorities and prisoners, but it is rejecting calls to abolish the death penalty.

Ambassador Aharon Leshno-Yaar told told the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council Thursday that Israel would address "gaps between the various populations" in Israeli society by, for instance, increasing participation of women and Arabs.

He said Israel would investigate allegations of torture and ensure prisoners receive prompt, fair hearings as required under international rules.

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also declined to commit Israel to improving protection of human rights in the Palestinian territories and in its fight against terrorism.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1237461625860&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

[MikeNearMcChord]

1. I thought Israel only reserved the death penalty for NAZI war criminals

when did they change it or was it already there?

[bemildred]

2. I don't understand your question. nt

[azurnoir]

3. Capital punishment in Israel

In Israel, capital punishment is illegal in almost all circumstances. Israel inherited the British Mandate of Palestine code of law, which included death penalty for several offenses, but in 1954 Israel abolished this penalty with the exceptions of conviction for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, crimes against the Jewish people, and treason in wartime

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_punishment_in_Israel

[geek tragedy]

4. Talk about an empty promise.

"Israel promises to improve treatment of minorities as virulent racist assumes control of the Knesset's Law and Justice Committee."