Thursday, May 15, 2014

OPT: The EU Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah condemn the executions in Gaza

Report from European Union
Published on 15 May 2014

The EU Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah condemn the execution of two citizens carried out by the de facto authorities in Gaza on 7 May.

As in their most recent statement on 6 May, the EU Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah recall the EU's firm opposition under all circumstances to the use of capital punishment. The EU considers that abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights. It considers capital punishment to be cruel and inhuman, and that it fails to provide deterrence to criminal behaviour, and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.

The de facto authorities in Gaza must refrain from carrying out any executions of prisoners and comply with the moratorium on executions put in place by the Palestinian Authority, pending abolition of the death penalty in line with the global trend.