Statements and Positions
ICHR asks he Palestinian National Authority not to endorse the death sentence issued by the Special Military Court

The Special Military Court of the De-facto Authority in Gaza city has issued a death sentence by shooting on Tuesday 7 April 2009 against four citizens from the Gaza Strip. The  judgment was issued in absentia against Hani Ibrahim Abdallah Zaydiyeh, Bassam Kamal Moustafa Rahmi, Na'el Salah Saleh Juha and Mohammad Salem Hassan Almadhloum. The accused were charged of deliberate joint murder, and are subject to appeal and to the ratification of the sentence by the President of the Palestinian National Authority, based on the provisions the Penal Code of the Revolutionary Law of 1979.

ICHR views with deep concern the death sentences issued by the Special Military Court in Gaza city, since they violate the right to life, international conventions relative to human rights, the right to a fair trial and the genuine jurisdiction of the civil judiciary.  

After the issuing of these 4 death sentences, the total number of citizens convicted to the death penalty in the Gaza Strip has reached 8 since the beginning of 2009.

In this context, ICHR does not underestimate the gravity of the crimes committed in any way, but insists on the necessity of presenting the accused in front of a civil court while fulfilling the requirements of fair trial. 
Expressing grave concern about military courts continuing to issue death sentences, ICHR demands that:

  1. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the National Authority not to endorse the death penalty sentence.
  2. Mr. Mahmoud Abbas, President of the National Authority reviews all previous death sentences that have been issued.
  3. Death sentences cease in the future, in line with efforts made by the international community towards abolishing the death penalty, and replacing it with another punishment that achieves criminal justice.