24/ 02/ 2010
2/ 2010

STATEMENT

The Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) views with deep concern the death penalty sentence issued by the District Court in Gaza City.

According to ICHR's information, on 22 February 2010 the court session supervised by Judge Ashraf Fares, accompanied by judges Ashraf Nasrallah and Dia'aldin Almadhun, issued a death sentence against the 30 year old citizen Asama Zeidan Alghoul. The accused was charged with intentional murder of the 34 year old citizen Akram Issa Al'amsh and the ruling was based on articles 214, 215, 216 of the 1936 Penal Code.

ICHR considers that this is an indication that death sentences continue to be issued throughout the Palestinian-controlled Territory, a practice that needs to come to an end since it violates the primary right to life safeguarded by international agreements related to human rights as well as by Palestinian laws.

While ICHR insists that no criminal shall escape justice and does not underestimate the gravity of the crime committed, it demands that:

1. The President of the Palestinian National Authority doesn't ratify the death sentence.
2. Death sentences cease in the future, in line with efforts made by the international community towards abolishing the death penalty, and replacing it with a more humane punishment that achieves criminal justice.
3. Legislations on death penalty be amended to abolish this form of punishment in the Palestinian Law.