European Union and Council of Europe have reiterated their steadfast opposition to capital punishment, deeming it a cruel and inhumane violation of human dignity, to commemorate the European and World Day Against the Death Penalty.
The joint statement, issued by EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset, welcomes the growing global momentum towards abolishing the death penalty, with over two-thirds of countries having already done so in law or practice.
The statement highlights the significant progress made in reducing executions worldwide, with the number of countries carrying out executions reaching a record low last year. However, countries like China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, and the United States continue to execute prisoners, with Iran accounting for 74% of recorded executions.
Notably, China remains one of the top executioners globally, while Iran’s execution rate accounted for 74% of all recorded executions. Saudi Arabia continues to carry out executions, and Somalia remains among the top executioners. The United States also continues to execute prisoners, using controversial methods such as nitrogen hypoxia.
Belarus stands out as the only European country still implementing the death penalty. The statement emphasizes that the death penalty does not deter crime or make societies safer, and instead, makes miscarriages of justice irreversible.
The EU and Council of Europe urge remaining states to introduce moratoriums as a step toward full abolition. They also aim to strengthen cooperation, counter pro-death penalty narratives, and promote transparency and engagement with civil society to achieve worldwide abolition.
This stance is echoed by the United Nations Human Rights Office, which also opposes the death penalty in all circumstances. Amnesty International similarly advocates for the abolition of the death penalty, citing its cruelty and inhumanity.
The joint statement concludes, “The death penalty is a relic of the past which should have no place in the 21st century. It has to be abolished now.”
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