PNN/ Ramallah/

PLO Executive Committee Member Dr. Hanan Ashrawi on Tuesday has strongly denounced the unlawful execution of Mahmoud Rushdi Ishteiwi carried out by Hamas’ Qassamt Brigades in Gaza.

In a statement, Ashrawi said that in accordance with the code of criminal procedures (no.3) 2001, the raification of death sentences is the sole right of the President of the Palestinian National Authority; undertaking death sentences without the President’s approval is illegal and a breach of the provisions of the law and the constitution.

Ashrawi also called for the repeal of capital punishment in Palestinian laws, and stressed:

“The death penalty is a blatant violation of the right to life, and it is contrary to the signed agreements and conventions that the Palestinians acceded to in 2014, including the “Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment” and the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

She further called on Hamas “to cease and desist from inflicting such a punishment on Palestinians in Gaza, and to abide by Palestine’s obligations in accordance with all the conventions and agreements to which it acceded.”