Ref: 44/2009

Date: 07 October 2009

PCHR and OHCHR Organize Conference in Gaza on Death Penalty

The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) – oPt are organizing a conference titled “Death Penalty in the Occupied Palestinian Territory” on Thursday, 08 October 2009, in the Commodore Hotel in Gaza City. 

The conference intends to highlight the issues surrounding the death penalty in the oPt, seeking to abolish this penalty from the Palestinian legislation.  The conference will also address extra-judicial executions committed by Israeli Occupation Forces against Palestinians as a form of execution without trial.  It is organized in commemoration of the International Day against the Death Penalty – 10 October.

The conference will include two panel discussions: 1) The death penalty in international law and Islamic law (Sharia’); and 2) The Death Penalty in the OPT.  The two issues will be addressed in separate specialized sessions, in which experts will present relevant interventions and working papers.  The conference will be attended by representatives of civil society, academics, representatives of political factions, members of the Palestinian Legislative Council, representatives of international organizations and media professionals.