SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON EXTRAJUDICIAL EXECUTIONS “AGHAST” AT ASSASSINATION OF SHEIKH AHMED YASSIN
23 March 2004
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23 March 2004
The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights issued the following statement today:
The Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Asma Jahangir, is aghast at the planned and deliberate extrajudicial execution of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, which also resulted in the deaths of seven other civilians on 22 March 2004.
The Special Rapporteur expresses her deepest concerns over the use of brute force which will only lead to escalating violence and urges the Government of Israel not to resort to aerial bombing or “targeted shootings” against civilian populations. She also calls on the Israeli forces to immediately end this unacceptable practice so as to comply with international human rights standards.
The Special Rapporteur emphasizes that the right to life and security of the person allows for no derogation, and must be applied with no exception in all circumstances, including times of emergency, internal unrest or in the context of the fight against terrorism.