“SHAMS” Center convicts issuing two death sentences (by handing) against the citizens Hisham M.A who is 38 years old, and Ashraf A.L who is 38/ years old by the Military Court in Gaza Strip. Also, the court issued death by firing against the citizen Abdulla A.N who is44 years old. With the charge of espionage with Israeli authorities, murder and getting involved in killing the citizen Mazen Fuqaha, one of the leaders of Izz-Edden Alqassam Brigades, affiliated with HAMAS movement.
“SHAMS” Center seriously reconsiders the trial’s procedures which lack fair trial guarantees. Death sentences were issued within a week since prosecuting the suspected, and the center expresses the concern about prosecuting civilians before military courts which break the Palestinian Law.
“SHAMS” Center is gravely concerned at the urgency of the inflicting death penalties in Gaza Strip. The center affirms that the issuance of death sentences in response to pressure from the public opinion and the motives of vengeance and appearance in the grip of control will not deter the perpetrators and will not reduce the crimes.
“SHAMS” Center calls for respecting the approaches of the Palestinian leadership aiming to accede to additional human rights conventions which guarantee the right to life. The center calls PNA to sign the Second Optional Protocol Annexed to International Convenant for Political and Civil Rights of 1989, on the abolition of death penalty. It urges the president Mahmoud Abbas not to ratify death sentences, and to employ his constitutional powers to abolish death penalty from Palestinian legislations.
“SHAMS” Center affirms its solidarity and support for the families of victims. Moreover, it emphasizes that requesting to abolish capital punishment doesn’t call for tolerating suspected with serious crimes, but to substitute death penalty with other deterrent punishment that respect humanity and dignity. Since capital punishment represents the cruelest form of intentional killing. It is irreversible and doesn’t meet goals set by the state when enacting punishment.
“END”