The Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its grave concern by the continued execution of death penalty sentences in the Gaza Strip in violation of Palestinian law.
According to Al Mezan’s information and information published on the website of the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in Gaza, the MoI in Gaza executed at approximately 5:30 pm on Wednesday 7 May 2014, Z.
R.
, 41, from Gaza city.
He had been sentenced to death for collaboration with the Israeli occupation.
The execution was conducted by hanging until death, in accordance with the wording of the court ruling, in the Al Kateeba prison west of Gaza city.
According to Al Mezan’s information, in November 2012, Z.
R.
was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment but the public prosecution appealed the ruling.
On 8 December 2013, he was sentenced to death.
At approximately 6:30 pm on Wednesday 7 May 2014, the MoI executed A.
K, 30, by firing squad.
He was sentenced to death for collaboration with the Israeli occupation.
According to Al Mezan’s field information, A.
K.
was arrested on 24 January 2009.
On 5 December 2013, the high military court in Gaza approved a previous death sentence by firing squad, which had been pronounced by the permanent military court in Gaza on 22 September 2010.
The execution was conducted in the Ansar prison west of Gaza city.
Al Mezan Center for Human Rights expresses its deep concern over the continuous execution of the death sentences without respect for its legal basis.
The execution is in contravention with the 2001 Palestinian Code of Criminal Procedure No.
3 stipulates that the Palestinian President must approve the execution of every death sentence before it is executed according to Article 409, which states: '[T]he death sentence shall not be executed without the ratification of the President,' which is not respected in the aforementioned cases.
The execution was conducted amidst positive atmosphere of Palestinian reconciliation and the possibility of uniting the Palestinian political system in the coming weeks.
Al Mezan emphasizes itsprincipled opposition against death penalty, as a violation of human rights and human dignity.
Al Mezan also asserts that death penalty does not reduce crime.
The restrictions imposed by the legislature, which provides for a relatively long period between the time of issuing death penalty rulings and their execution are placed to avoid executing innocent people; a harm that cannot be reversed.
Al Mezan calls on the Gaza government to stop the execution of death penalty sentences immediately .
End