JERUSALEM, The European Union (EU) missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah condemned the death sentences issued by the de facto authorities in the Gaza Strip on June 7th and 13th, which raises the number of death sentences executed in Gaza since the beginning of this year to six.
The European Union Representative in a statement issued in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah recalled the EU’s firm opposition under all circumstances to the use of capital punishment.
The EU considers that the 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, that it fails to provide deterrence to criminal behaviour, and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity, said the statement.
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 and following the signing of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Right, said the statement.
Source: Palestinian News & Info Agency