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IBA human-rights arm condemns Israel plans

The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) has condemned plans by Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to introduce legislation that will enable the Israeli parliament to overthrow decisions of the country's Supreme Court.

IBAHRI said that the measure would "severely undermine" democratic institutions, by removing checks and balances over the government.

The organisation's co-chair Anne Ramberg described the plan as a "troubling departure from democratic norms", and urged Netanyahu and his cabinet to reverse the decision.

"The IBAHRI strongly objects to these plans, which constitute an affront to the rule of law, and its foundational principle that the judiciary is independent of the government, and decisions from the courts are respected by parliament," she stated.

Protests held

Under plans announced by justice minister Yariv Levin in early January 2023, a simple majority in the Knesset (the Israeli parliament) would have the power to annul Supreme Court decisions that strike down legislation found to be unconstitutional.

The proposals would also give the government and its allies more influence over the appointment of judges.

Around 80,000 Israeli protesters demonstrated against the proposed changes last weekend, with critics of the government's plan arguing that the reforms would cripple judicial independence and foster corruption.