17 Feb. 2005: B'Tselem calls on the PA to abolish the death penalty

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.

B’Tselem understands the need to punish those who break the law. Accountability is an important component of the rule of law in any society. Anyone suspected of committing a crime must be tried and, if found guilty, punished. However, regardless of the severity of the crime, the death penalty should not be a part of an enlightened society’s justice system. The death penalty constitutes the most blatant breach of the basic right of an individual - the right to life – and B’Tselem opposes the use of the death penalty in all cases.

B’Tselem is also concerned that many of those sentenced to death were convicted following trials that did not accord with minimum standards of due process.

I respectfully urge you to commute all death penalties to prison sentences. I would also urge you to act to abolish the death penalty in the Palestinian Authority.

With the eyes of the world focused on the Palestinian Authority, I urge you to demonstrate your intention to establish a society faithful to the principles of justice and equality.