EU calls on Belarus to introduce death penalty moratorium


The European Union expects Belarus to join a global moratorium on the death penalty. This was stated by the press secretary of the European External Action Service Maja Kocijancic, belapan.by reports.

The statement came in connection with the implementation of the death penalty sentence in Belarus in regard to Syarhei Ivanou (he committed a brutal murder), as well as the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the death sentence of Syarhei Khmeleuski (he killed 3 people).

“Despite the numerous appeals made by the European Union, a new death sentence was carried out in Belarus. The case of Syarhei Ivanou, who was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court of Belarus in March 2015, is of particular concern in light of the fact that his complaint was under consideration by the Human Rights Committee at the United Nations,” said the statement.

It is emphasized that the EU opposes the death penalty, which is capable to deter crime and is an “unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.”

A similar statement was also made by Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Taglyan. As we know, Belarus is the only country in Europe which still has a death penalty.

belsat.eu, belapan.by

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