The Hamas authorities’ execution of three convicted prisoners by hanging on April 7, 2012, highlights the need for a moratorium on capital punishment in Gaza, Human Rights Watch said today. Human Rights Watch, which opposes the death penalty in all cases as cruel and inhuman punishment, said the persistence of unfair trials made the executions particularly egregious.

We are writing to express our concern about increasing evidence, as described below, of kidnappings, the use of torture, and executions by armed Syrian opposition members and strongly urge you to work to ensure that all opposition members refrain from engaging in these unlawful practices.