Death Penalty

House of Lords written question – answered at on 17 October 2011.

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Photo of Lord Kennedy of Southwark Lord Kennedy of Southwark Opposition Whip (Lords)

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Palestinian Authority concerning the abolition of the death penalty; and what assessment they have made on the progress of these discussions.

Photo of Lord Howell of Guildford Lord Howell of Guildford Minister of State (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) (International Energy Policy)

The UK regularly raises the issue of the death penalty with the Palestinian Authority and is following closely the progress of the new penal code. The EU Heads of Mission also collectively condemn the use of the death penalty by Hamas in Gaza, most recently on 28 July 2011.

While the Palestinian Authority statute permits the use of the death penalty, an informal moratorium has been in place since the end of 2009 after Palestinian President Abbas undertook not to ratify any death penalty sentences. While there have been continued announcements of death penalty sentences, none has been carried out by the Palestinian Authority since then.

The Palestinian Ministry of Justice, working closely with Palestinian legal and human rights non-governmental organisations, is working on a new penal code. The current draft abolishes the death penalty. The new penal code is likely to require ratification by presidential decree to become law.

In 2010 five people sentenced to the death penalty for various crimes including murder and collaborating with Israel were executed by the de facto Hamas authorities in Gaza. A further 10 people were sentenced to the death penalty in Gaza during 2010 and remain on death row.

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