UN human rights experts have expressed serious concerns over a new Israeli law permitting life imprisonment for children as young as 12. They argue that this legislation is specifically aimed at Palestinian minors, allowing Israeli authorities to charge them with terrorism-related offenses while exempting Israeli children from similar repercussions. This raises red flags regarding compliance with international human rights law, particularly the Convention on the Rights of the Child, emphasizing that children's detention should be a last resort. This follows a broader pattern of systemic injustices faced by Palestinian children under Israeli law.
"[A]uthorizing up to life imprisonment for children as young as 12 years old is not consistent with international law," the experts wrote in a statement this month.
The experts say the law is crafted specifically to target Palestinian children, as Israeli authorities often accuse Palestinian children of terrorism while not charging Israeli children the same way.
Israeli officials have also long framed all Palestinians, including children, as terrorists. This has led to the detention and imprisonment of many minors under harsh conditions.
The legislation is likely a violation of international human rights law and is seen as part of Israel's apartheid system against Palestinians.
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