20/10/2016
“SHAMS” center severely condemns inflicting death sentences by the Court of First Instance in Gaza Strip sentences upon two citizens in separate cases on 17/10/2016. The Court of First Instance in Gaza Strip inflicted death penalty upon the citizen (S.Sh) who is the murderer of (Ramadan Yousef Qarqaz) and during a family dispute took place in 2013. The court also inflicted death penalty upon the citizen (H.Q) who is the murderer of (Ahmad Mohammad Shehada). It is worth noting that a dispute took place between two families to the north of Gaza Strip in 2013, resulted in killing the citizen (Ramadan Yousef Qarqaz). Then the dispute appeared again for revenge in 2015, and resulted in killing the citizen (Ahmad Mohammad Shehada).
“SHAMS” center reminds that capital punishment is being issued in alarming rate in the Palestinian territories. In less than two weeks, Five death sentence have been issued. In 2016 particularly, 19 death sentences have been issued until 18/10/2016 which indicates a serious phenomenon. This warns of the hazardous consequences due to inflicting death sentences in this way. And gives a space for doubting the procedures of courts, guarantees for fair trials and the court’s compliance with the pressure of local public opinion.
“SHAMS” center assures that death penalty doesn’t deter crimes or perpetrators since it is inefficient to stop crimes. Using death penalty symbolizes escape and overlooking the real causes behind the continuous murders and crimes in Gaza Strip. Accordingly, we should assume a collective responsibility and answer questions pertaining to the increasing number of crimes. In terms of the effects of the crimson the Palestinian community, causes behind the crimes, mechanisms to deter the crimes and other deterrent manners.
“SHAMS” center is concerned about the time of inflicting death sentences, when the whole world is celebrating World Day against Death Penalty on October 10th. This annual occasion indicates the cultural, social, political development of nations and reminds of the disadvantages of resorting to the capital punishment and encourages efforts toward reducing or the abolition of death penalty for all crimes.
“SHAMS” center calls for respecting the approaches of the Palestinian leaders for the purpose of accession to additional human rights treaties which guarantee the right to life. The center also urges the Palestinian National Authority to sign the Second Protocol of 1989 Annexed to the International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights on the abolition of death penalty. It also urges the Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas so as not to approve death sentences, and to use his constitutional powers aiming to abolish the capital punishment from Palestinian legislations.
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