B'Tselem calls on the PA to abolish the death penalty

B'Tselem calls on the PA to abolish the death penalty
B'Tselem

On Feb. 17, 2005, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas ratified "scores" of death sentences for Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel or of other criminal charges. B'Tselem called on Abbas to commute the death sentences and abolish the death penalty. Following is the text of the letter:

As I am sure you know, for the past fifteen years, B’Tselem has been one of the most consistent and outspoken defenders of human rights in the Occupied Territories. Since the beginning of the current intifada, B’Tselem has published some forty reports and case studies regarding various aspects of Palestinian human rights. Most recently, we have published reports and conducted advocacy regarding punitive house demolitions, and the use of lethal force by the Israeli military. We have also published reports and conducted advocacy about the discriminatory road regime in the West Bank and the Separation Barrier.

I write you now to express my concern regarding reports in the press that you have ratified death sentences of Palestinians found guilty of "collaboration" with Israel...