PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
PLO Executive Committee
Department of Culture and Information
September 18, 2014
Dr. Ashrawi Condemns the Extrajudicial Executions Carried Out in Gaza
PLO Executive committee member, Dr. Hanan Ashrawi, strongly condemned the
unlawful executions of alleged “collaborators” carried out by Hamas in Gaza. She
further called for a halt to all measures and practices that contravene
the Basic Law, international law, conventions, and human rights principles.
Dr. Ashrawi stressed her deepest concerns about the latest extrajudicial executions
in Gaza:
"The ratification of death sentences is an exclusive right of the
President of the Palestinian National Authority, in accordance with the
code of criminal procedures (no.3) 2001; carrying out death sentences without the
President’s ratification is unlawful and contrary to the provisions of
the law and the constitution.”
Stressing her condemnation of the death penalty, Dr. Ashrawi stated, ”The death
penalty is a flagrant violation of the right to life and a form
of torture that constitutes cruel and inhuman treatment.”
Dr. Ashrawi referred to the consequences and risks that could result from such
practices, similar to the occupation's practices in their disregard of the law:
“The recent extrajudicial and blatant executions might exacerbate regional developments
and distort the image of the Palestinian people and the Palestinian legitimate
humanitarian demands in international forums.
Extrajudicial executions are subject to accountability and reflect negatively on the
credibility of the State of Palestine in joining the International Criminal
Court, in the face of the independent, international commission of inquiry set
up by the Human Rights Council on July 23, 2014 ‘to investigate all violations
of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, particularly in the occupied
Gaza Strip.’”
Dr. Ashrawi added, "The rejection of capital punishment does not imply the approval
of crimes and any kind leniency with criminals; instead, it emphasizes
the importance of prosecuting criminals and punishing them in accordance
with the provisions of the law.”
ENDS