The Death Penalty in the OSCE Area
European Parliament resolution of 8 October 2015 on the death penalty,
2015/2879 (RSP)
(2015)
[…]
1. Reiterates its condemnation of the use of the death penalty and strongly supports
the introduction of a moratorium on the death penalty, as a step towards abolition;
emphasises once again that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and that the EU’s ultimate aim is universal abolition;
2. Condemns all executions wherever they take place; continues to be deeply concerned regarding the imposition of the death penalty on minors and on persons with
mental or intellectual disability, and calls for an immediate and definitive end to such
practices, which violate international human rights standards; expresses its grave
concern about the recent mass trials leading to a vast number of death sentences;
[…]
4. Urges the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the Member States to
continue fighting against the use of the death penalty and to strongly support the moratorium as a step towards abolition, to continue to push for abolition worldwide, to
strongly urge countries still carrying out capital punishment to comply with international minimum standards, to reduce the scope and use of the death penalty, and to
publish clear and accurate figures on the number of sentences and executions; urges
the EEAS to remain vigilant with regard to developments in all countries, in particular
Belarus as the only European country which still has the death penalty, and to use all
means of influence at its disposal;
5. Welcomes the abolition of the death penalty in certain US states and encourages
the EU to continue its dialogue with the USA with a view to total abolition, in order to
stand together in addressing capital punishment worldwide;
[…]
7. Recalls that the death penalty is incompatible with values such as respect for
human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human
rights, on which the Union is founded, and that any Member State reintroducing the
death penalty would therefore be in violation of the Treaties and of the EU Charter of
Fundamental Rights;
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