Local EU missions condemn Gaza executions

The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah condemn in a statement issued Wednesday the most recent execution of three people in Gaza convicted by the Hamas authority of treason and murder. “The EU Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah recall the EU's firm opposition under all circumstances to the use of capital punishment,” said the statement. “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, failing to provide deterrence to criminal behavior, and representing an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity,” it added. The missions called on the de facto authorities in Gaza to “refrain from carrying out any executions of prisoners and comply with the de facto moratorium on executions put in place by the Palestinian Authority, pending abolition of the death penalty in line with the global trend.”