Human Rights and Democracy Media Center “SHAMS” warns of the new approach followed by the Public Prosecution under “Hamas” in Gaza, by appeal the cases that previously were adjudicated and sentenced to life imprisonment. So, the Appeal Court overturned the previous sentence and resentenced to death against the citizens. This approach would deepen the crisis between the citizens and the judicial authority, which would have an adverse impact on the citizens’ access to the formal judicial, and strengthen the access to the tribal jurisdiction, which affect the civilian State THAT desired by Palestinian people. On Sunday 17\4\2022, the Appeal Court in Gaza Strip unanimously sentenced to death by hanging against the citizen (Y, Sh) on charge of murdering the citizen Nour Al Deen Oda on 15\1\2018. Reportedly that a Court of First Instance sentenced to life imprisonment against the convicted of murdering, but he Appeal Court amended the sentence of life imprisonment into death sentence by hanging.
“SHAMS” demands “Hamas” the need for moratorium on the death penalty against the citizens, and the need torespect for the obligations of the State of Palestine. Given that the Palestinian Authority has acceded to the second optional protocol to the international covenant on civil and political rights, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty, prior of this, the PA has acceded to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
“SHAMS” stresses its rejectionist stance on death penalty as a criminal offence, as it absolutely believes that death sentences do not solve the crimes and security problems. It represents a run-away escape in an effort made by the government to solve the internal problems. The death penalty does not prevent crimes, and does not achieve the general deterrence. So, what is the point of death penalty? It is a powerless punishment.
Ended