Related Material Palestinian Authority Should Halt Executions, Review Unfair Trials Press Release, August 31, 1998

"Even in the most heinous crimes defendants must be guaranteed a fair trial, especially when there is the possibility of a death sentence. The Palestinian Authority should not allow its courts to become an instrument of mob rule."
Hanny Megally Executive Director of the Middle East and North Africa Division of Human Rights Watch

The court sentenced Al-`Attar to death for his involvement in a February 1, 1999 chase and shootout that resulted in the deaths of a Palestinian Preventative Security Service officer and two children. Two other defendants received life and fifteen years hard labor. Human Rights Watch urged that the defendants be retried before an appropriate judicial body which would meet fair trial standards, including the right of appeal.

Human Rights Watch expressed concern that political considerations may have influenced the trial's outcome. Prior to the trial there had been several demonstrations calling for the execution of those involved in the killings. In the three executions already carried out, most recently on February 26, 1999, public demands for the defendants' execution appear to have influenced the verdict and the speed of the trial and sentencing. In those cases President Arafat's decision to ratify and implement the death penalty came within hours of the sentencing.

"Even in the most heinous crimes defendants must be guaranteed a fair trial, especially when there is the possibility of a death sentence," said Megally. "The Palestinian Authority should not allow its courts to become an instrument of mob rule."

Palestinian Authority courts have issued twenty-five death sentences since 1994. Most of the trials have been in military and state security courts that do not meet basic international fair trial standards. Trials are typically closed to the public, last only a few hours, and severely limit defendants' opportunities to prepare a defense and appeal a verdict.

"President Arafat has said he is committed to incorporating international human rights standards into Palestinian law," said Hanny Megally, executive director of the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch. "Abolishing the death penalty and the state security courts would be important steps in that direction."

Human Rights Watch also called for an independent investigation of the deaths of two youths `Ala Juma` al-Hams and Khamis Mahmud Salama, in Gaza yesterday. The two were killed and several others wounded when Palestinian police fired upon crowds protesting the death sentence against al-`Attar. The organization urged Arafat to take immediate action to prevent further loss of life and injuries to demonstrators protesting the ruling.

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