“SHAMS” center condemns the declarations of some members from “Change and Reform Parliamentarian Bloc” affiliated with Hamas, in which they disrespect and disregard the Palestinian Basic Law and related laws.
They considered the signature and approval of the president as a matter of form which could be overlooked. The center considers the announcements of HAMAS members a call for murder and disrespect for the lives of citizens.
Additionally, such declarations indicate lack of legal and legislative culture of the legislator who should be well aware of some laws. By virtue of the rule saying “No diligence in the text resource” which confirms that some texts are unequivocal. It is worth noting that articles 408 and 409 of Palestinian Penal Procedures Law number (3) of 2001 all emphasize that the death penalty cannot be carried out without the ratification of the president of the Palestinian National Authority.
“SHAMS” center stresses its solidarity and support to the families of victims. The center also emphasize that calling for the abolition of death penalty against the perpetrators doesn’t represents tolerating people charged with serious crimes, but replacing death penalty with other deterrent punishments which respect human life and dignity. Execution is the ultimate, irrevocable punishment: the risk of executing an innocent person can never be eliminated.
“SHAMS” center believes that reconciliation’s men should assume a positive role in terms of conciliation, reunion of viewpoints and preserving community safety and social cohesion. The representatives of informal justice have played historical and national roles in solving disputes among citizens, and people used to turn to them when cases or problems could be solved internally.
For a long time, Palestinians have depended on the representatives of informal justice to solve their economic, social and human rights cases and problems.
“SHAMS” center appeals to the Palestinian President so as not to ratify death sentences, and to use his constitutional authorities towards the abolition of death penalty from the Palestinian legislations. Since inflicting death penalty in many cases subjects to the approaches of the public opinion.
Also, there is a wrong social understanding among citizens and support to death penalty in light of the absence of education on tolerance and searching for substitute punishments.
“SHAMS” center calls the Palestinian government and human rights organizations for assuming its responsibility to stop the expected massacre. The center also requests to implement an extensive Palestinian campaign to combat death penalty, and to spare no effort to get rid of it.
In addition to defend human rights through developing a Palestinian strategy which combat death penalty.
Moreover, to establish a strong anti- death penalty movement combining human rights activists and organizations, authors, religious men, politicians, artists, lawyers, judges and Bar Association, media figures, PLC members, political parties and government representatives.
Since politicians, parliamentarians and experts should answer this question: is the capital punishment considered as effective, deter crimes and supply the community with protection?
“END”