EU: HAMAS RULERS URGED TO HALT EXECUTIONS

April 11, 2012: The European Union condemned the execution of three prisoners in the Gaza Strip on 7 April.
In a statement, the EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah urged the Hamas-led government to refrain from executing any prisoners "and comply with the de facto moratorium on executions put in place by the Palestinian Authority."
Since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, at least 11 prisoners have been executed and more than 30 death sentences have been handed down by the courts, including to numerous people charged with helping the Israeli security forces.
Under local law, President Mahmoud Abbas is meant to have the final say on whether executions should be carried out, but Hamas refuses any such consultations. (Sources: Ma'an, 11/04/2012)