“SHAMS” center condemns issuing three death sentences and endorsing another three previous sentences
“SHAMS” center strongly condemns inflicting death penalties upon (6) citizens by the Permanent Military Court, affiliated with Military Judiciary in Gaza Strip on Sunday 19/2/2017. The court issued death sentences upon the citizens Khalid Samari, 48 years old from Khan Younis, Ali Abed Alhisy 67 years old from Jabalia and Ismail Amin Abu Sadeq 44 years old from Khan Younis. Additionally, the Military Court endorsed death by handing upon the citizen Wahid Said Ahel 42 years old from Gaza, Mohammad Bassam Aldabashi 32 years old from Alnusierat and Adel Abdel-qader Almadhoun 55 years old, who was accused of espionage with enemies.
“SHAMS” center calls for respecting the Palestinian Basic Law and Criminal Procedures Law no. 3 of 2001. In this regard, the center reminds that death sentences should be only implemented, following the ratification of the Palestinian president, according to article (109) of the Palestinian Basic Law. Which provides the Palestinian president a constitutional power for endorsing or retention of signing death sentences. “A death sentence pronounced by any court may not be implemented unless endorsed by the President of the Palestinian National Authority”.
Article 408 of the Palestinian Code for Criminal Procedures 2001 stipulates after the court has passed a death sentence, the Minister of Justice should give the file to the president for his approval. While Article 409, stipulates that the head of state should ratify sentences of capital punishment.
“SHAMS” center puts emphasis on the importance to prevent prosecuting civilians before military judiciary based on articles (30) of the Palestinian Basic Law.
- Submitting a case to court is a protected and guaranteed right for all people. Each Palestinian shall have the right to seek redress in the judicial system. Litigation procedures shall be organized by law to guarantee prompt settlement of cases.
- Laws may not contain any provisions that provide immunity to any administrative decision or action or against judicial review.
- Judicial error shall result in a remedy by the National Authority. Conditions and methods of such remedy shall be regulated by law.
So, prosecuting civilians before military courts represents a constitutional violation.
“SHAMS” center requests 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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