The Palestinian Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) views with deep concern the continuation of death sentences being issued by military courts in the Palestinian Territory.

According to ICHR's information, in its session held on 9 December 2009, the Military court in Ramallah sentenced the citizen "I.D." to death on charges of collaboration with the enemy according to article 131, paragraph A of the Palestinian Revolutionary Penal Law of 1979.

ICHR is especially concerned about this judgment as it is issued by a military court which lacks proper procedures for a fair trial and renders this sentence a violation of the fundamental right to life safeguarded by Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Stressing the inadmissibility of any offender to escape punishment, ICHR finds that the death penalty violates the right to life and is an offense to human dignity and is incompatible with modern criminal procedures which should be based on reform and not the disregard to life.

That said, ICHR calls on:

1. The President of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) not to ratify this death sentence and replace it with an alternative punishment which achieves criminal justice.
2. The Palestinian National Authority to seriously consider adopting a moratorium on the death penalty until a review of the Penal Code and the Revolutionary Penal Law of 1979 can be completed.
3. The PNA to respect the Second Optional Protocol of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in order to work towards the abolition of the death penalty in the Palestinian Territory as it is considered an inhuman punishment.