Ref: 44/2007

Date: 03 September  2007

PCHR Organizes a Colloquia on the Death Penalty under the PNA

PCHR organized a public meeting on Monday, 3 September 2007, on “The Death Penalty under the PNA” in cooperation with Graduates Forum in Khan Yunis. The meeting was held in the Forum’s office in Khan Yunis. Twenty graduates attended. The Centre organized this event as part of its activities leading up to the UN International Day against the Death Penalty on 10 October. In addition, it is part of the Center’s campaign to increase public awareness and lobby for abolishing the death penalty in the OPT and in Palestinian legislation.

Abd El-Halim Abu Samra, PCHR’s Public Relations Coordinator in Khan Yunis, opened the meeting by talking about the Centre, its units, services, and role in defending human rights.

Hamdi Shaqoura, Director of PCHR’s Democratic Development Unit, talked about the concept of the death penalty, and that it was not exclusive to the penalty passed by courts, but includes other forms that must be confronted. He pointed that extra-judicial executions by armed Palestinian groups against Palestinian civilians are considered death penalties. In addition, he stated that extra-judicial executions by Israeli forces against Palestinians also fall under the death penalty category.

Shaqoura talked about the death penalty under the PNA, stating that a total of 76 death sentences were passed since 1994, twelve of which were carried out. He noted that most of these sentences were passed by State Security Courts, which are unconstitutional and do not fulfill the conditions of fair trial. Shaqoura commended the decision issued by President Abbas in 2005 to retry the persons sentenced to death by State Security Courts in civilian courts.

Shaqoura demanded that efforts be doubled to abolish the death penalty, which is a violation of the right to life and a form of cruel and inhumane treatment. In addition, Shaqoura stated that the death penalty does not deter crimes.

A discussion followed Shaqoura’s intervention; and opinions differed between participants in support of the death penalty and others against it.

It is noted that PCHR organized a similar meeting on Wednesday, 29 August 2007, in cooperation with Future Sun Benevolent Society in Khan Yunis in its offices. Thirty members of the Future Sun Society and other civil society organizations attended the meeting.

Note: This activity is part of a project funded by the EU