JERUSALEM, Tuesday, December 04, 2018 (WAFA) – The European Union Representative and the EU Heads of Mission in Jerusalem and Ramallah Tuesday condemned the death sentences issued in the Gaza Strip on Monday against six Palestinians convicted of collaborating with Israel, according to a statement.

A Hamas military court found the six Palestinians guilty of collaborating with Israel, mainly in the botched operation that took place in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip, on November 11, which resulted in the death of seven Palestinians. The commander of the undercover Israeli force was also killed after the operation was uncovered.

The EU Missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah recalled in their statement their firm opposition under all circumstances to the use of capital punishment.

The statement said the EU considers that abolition of the death penalty contributes to the protection of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights.

“The EU considers capital punishment to be cruel and inhuman, that it fails to provide deterrence to criminal behavior, and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.”

The EU Missions called on the de facto authorities in Gaza to refrain from carrying out any executions of prisoners and comply with the moratorium on executions put in place by the Palestinian Authority, pending the abolition of the death penalty in line with the global trend and following the signing of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

T.R./M.K.