Detention Bill

The Criminal Law Procedures Bill

The “Criminal Law Procedures Bill (Powers of Implementation – Special Directives for Investigating Security Violations Perpetrated by Non-Residents)” proposes harsher criminal procedure laws for individuals suspected of security offenses based solely on their national belonging. The bill would create a two-track criminal procedure law governing investigation, interrogation and detention, one for Israelis and one for Palestinians. Under the bill, for example, “non-Israeli residents” can be investigated continuously for 96 hours without being brought before a judge, instead of the 48 hours allowed under Israeli criminal procedure law, and, unlike Israeli detention law, detentions can be extended without the detainee appearing before a court under the bill. The bill as a whole is unconstitutional, violates international human rights law, and increases the possibility of detained individuals being tortured and interrogated by force to unjustly expedite an indictment.