PALESTINE: EU URGES HAMAS GOVERNMENT TO STOP EXECUTIONS

July 19, 2012: the EU Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah reiterated the EU's opposition "under all circumstances" to the use of capital punishment, after the Hamas government executed three men. “The EU considers that abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights," a statement said. "It considers capital punishment to be cruel and inhuman, failing to provide deterrence to criminal behaviour, and representing an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity." The statement urged the authorities in Gaza to refrain from carrying out any executions of prisoners and to comply with a de facto moratorium on executions put in place by the Palestinian Authority. (Sources: Ma'an, 20/07/2012)