UN expert concerned by extrajudicial execution of Hamas leader Rantissi

Joining the chorus of condemnation over the assassination of Hamas leader Abdelaziz Rantissi, the United Nations expert on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions today called on Israel to stop using such tactics in accordance with international law.

Special Rapporteur Asma Jahangir issued a statement saying she was concerned at Saturday’s extrajudicial execution of Dr. Rantissi, in which two other civilians were also killed and several other passers-by injured, only 26 days after the Israeli military had killed another Hamas leader, Sheik Ahmed Yassin in the Middle East.

Ms. Jahangir reiterated her conviction that “aerial bombings or ‘targeted assassinations’ against civilian populations will only lead to escalating violence” and called on the Israeli forces “to immediately end this unacceptable practice so as to comply with international human rights standards.”