Statement by the Spokesperson on the new sentence to death penalty in Belarus

EU News 220/2014

Brussels, 14 May 2014
140514/01

"We strongly condemn the recent execution of Hryhoriy Yuzepchuk, who was sentenced to death in April 2013. This is already the second execution of death penalty in Belarus this year.

We are conscious of the serious nature of the crimes for which he was convicted. The European Union opposes capital punishment as it cannot be justified under any circumstances. The death penalty is a cruel and inhuman punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.

We urge Belarus, the only country in Europe still applying capital punishment, to join a global moratorium on the death penalty as a first step towards its universal abolition."

Source and additional information:
http://eeas.europa.eu/statements/docs/2014/140514_01_en.pdf

• Tweet