Death Penalty under the Palestinian National Authority

The death penalty is one of the most outstanding issues that have the attention of human rights defenders and international legal and human rights organizations. It violates one of the fundamental human rights, which is the cornerstone of other rights, that is the right to life, and constitutes the most severe degree of torture and cruel and inhuman treatment. Consequently, article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights1prohibits the use of the death penalty and emphasizes that “everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.” This right, as prescribed by article 5 of the Declaration, includes that “no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,” including the death penalty.