The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) expresses its deep concern about reports by the local media on the Deposed government’s intentions to carry out several death sentences against a number of convicted individuals in the Gaza Strip.
On 23/3/2010 ICHR learned of statements made by the Minister of the Interior of the Deposed government during an interview with “Sawt Al-Quds” radio. The Minister stated that: “The Ministry of Interior decided to carry out death sentences against a number of convicted persons". In the same context, the Public Prosecutor in charge in Gaza, also stated that the Public Prosecution has begun the process of endorsing the execution of death sentences as of two months ago.
ICHR stresses that the execution of these sentences would be a contravention of the Palestinian Basic Law which stipulates that the approval of the President of the Palestinian National Authority must be obtained before the execution of any death sentence. In addition, death sentences issued by military courts against civilians lack the guarantees for fair trials provided by the civil courts.
That said, ICHR:
- Stresses its rejection of the death penalty and the execution of any sentence thereof.
- Calls upon the Deposed government in the Gaza Strip to withdraw the execution of death sentences since this punishment violates the fundamental basic right to life and contradicts international conventions and national legislation.
- While it recognizes the necessity of not granting impunity to any criminal, ICHR calls for putting an end to the issuance of death sentences in the future, in line with global efforts aiming at abolishing the death penalty, and replace it with a more humane penalty that achieves criminal justice.