Jerusalem: The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Israeli Parliament to immediately repeal or amend a newly revised law that allows detention of migrants without any charge.
According to the rights group, the new law "punishes asylum seekers for irregularly crossing into Israel, in violation of their basic rights.”
HRW has asked authorities to not enforce provisions that “violate” international refugee standards.
As per a statement issued by the group, the new Prevention of Infiltration Law treats all irregular border-crossers as “infiltrators.”
“Israeli officials are not only adding rhetorical fuel to the xenophobic fire, but they now have a new law that punishes refugees in violation of international law,” said Bill Frelick, Refugee Program director at Human Rights Watch.
He added, “The law should be amended immediately, and not enforced until necessary revisions are made.”