prisoners

The government is now is hoping to pass emergency legislation that would allow between 260 and 390 prisoners to be freed early in February.

Whatever the voters’ reasons, forcing incarcerated individuals to do work against their will is immoral and does no one any good — neither prisoners nor those in the outside world to which most will return.

Members of the Palestinian militant group Black September had taken 11 Israeli athletes hostage, demanding the release of hundreds of prisoners held in their country’s jails.

The change would also apply to new prisoners sentenced from the point the bill is introduced.

Mr Cotler has represented Iranian political prisoners and has strong ties to Israel.