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Eleven Moroccan civil society coalitions and organizations have urgently reached out to the UN Secretary-General and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) concerning Israel's introduction of the death penalty for Palestinian detainees. In this international plea, released on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the signatories call for the immediate suspension of this measure recently passed by the Israeli parliament.
In a letter obtained by Yabiladi, the organizations denounce what they describe as a «violation of the occupying power's obligations, in defiance of international humanitarian law». They emphasize that «Israel is bound to protect the population under its control, as stipulated by the Fourth Geneva Convention. The introduction or expansion of the death penalty in the occupied territories breaches the stringent limitations designed to ensure a basic level of legal protection», the signatories assert.
They urge the UN to intervene «immediately», viewing the newly passed legislation as «a significant setback to the legal foundations of modern international law». «The right to life is a fundamental and non-negotiable principle», the signatories stress, citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The organizations argue that «implementing the death penalty in this context signifies a perilous regression, counter to the global trend towards its abolition». They also express concern over the «risks of legalized exclusion», which could lead to «discrimination based on identity» targeting «a specific group». The letter advocates for «diplomatic and legal action to halt the implementation, with the ultimate goal of abolition».
Among those signing the memorandum are the Moroccan Coalition Against the Death Penalty, the Moroccan Forum for Truth and Justice, the Moroccan Observatory of Prisons, the Moroccan Organization for Human Rights, and the Mohamed Bensaïd Aït Ider Research and Studies Center.
Propelled by Israel's far-right factions, the «death penalty for terrorists» bill was approved by the Knesset last Monday. With 62 votes in favor and 48 against, the legislation threatens to make capital punishment the standard penalty for Palestinians in the West Bank convicted of deadly anti-Israeli attacks.
