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EU in Singapore - EU Policy & Action on the Death Penalty
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The European Union (EU) is opposed to the death penalty and has consistently espoused its universal abolition, continually working towards this goal. In line with the majority of international views, the EU considers that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights. The EU's position is rooted in its conviction in the inherent dignity of all human beings and the inviolability of the human person.
The abolition of the death penalty worldwide represents one of the main objectives of the EU's human rights policy. In countries that maintain the death penalty, the EU uses all of its available tools to work towards the progressive restriction of the scope under which capital punishment is used and towards respect for the strict conditions set forth in several international human rights instruments, under which the capital punishment may be used. The EU also seeks the establishment of a moratorium on executions so as to eliminate the death penalty completely
The EU agreed to establish a European day against the death penalty in 2007. The agreed date is the 10th of October each year, coinciding with world day against the death penalty which also takes place on the same date. The first European day against the death penalty is 10th October 2008.
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After his January 15, 2007 meeting with Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi,
European Commission President José Manuel Barroso (right) said that he
supports Italy's campaign for a moratorium on capital punishment at the
United Nations. "We considered that a man does not have the right to take
the life of another man. It's a fundamental question."
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The Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy,
Benita Ferrero-Waldner (left), stated that "The continued existence and
application of the death penalty in many parts of the world remains a
serious concern for us. This is why its abolition is a top human rights
priority in our relations with third countries and in international fora,
like the United Nations. We Europeans are the number one advocate against
the death penalty and for its universal abolition. And we will not rest
until the death penalty becomes history in every country of the world.”
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The death penalty has been abolished in all Member States of the European
Union because it does not dissuade criminals, because judicial errors
do occur, because to voluntarily take a human life is contrary to
our fundamental values. The European Union is fighting to
put an end to such a practice.
See the video
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In its relations with non-member countries, the EU is actively
engaged in promoting the abolition of the death penalty,
with different instruments at its disposal. Action at the political
level takes place in the context of general dialogue
with these countries. Initiatives include general
representations, particularly where a country’s use
of the death penalty is likely to be ended or reintroduced,
and individual representations where the EU is made aware
of individual death penalty sentences which violate the
so-called “minimum standards”. These standards, agreed
at the level of the United Nations, provide, inter alia,
that capital punishment cannot be imposed on those who
are under 18 when committing the crime, pregnant women,
and the mentally disabled.
See the leaflet "Death has no appeal"
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The following collection of documents includes key policy statements
by the EU, links to international and other agreements as well as
organisations cited in the various documents.
EU Policy Documents:
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- Launching the European Day against the Death Penalty (19/06/07)
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Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU on the
occasion of the 3rd World Congress against the Death Penalty, Paris (2/1–3/07)
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European Parliament's vote in favour of a universal moratorium on the death penalty
- EU on 2006 World Day against the Death Penalty; More; Data (10/10/06)
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Declaration by the Presidency on Behalf of the European Union to Mark the Entry
into Force of Protocol No. 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, Concerning
the Abolition of the Death Penalty in All Circumstances, July 14, 2003
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First World Congress Against the Death Penalty: Intervention at
the Council of Europe, on Behalf of External Relations Commissioner
Chris Patten, Delivered by Angel Viñas, Director for Multilateral
Relations and Human Rights, External Relations Directorate General,
European Commission, Strasbourg, June 21, 2001
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Statement Delivered by the Rt. Hon Christopher Patten, EU Commissioner
for External Relations to the European Parliament, 16 February 2000
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Guidelines to EU Policy Toward Third Countries on the Death Penalty,
Council of the European Union, June 3, 1998
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Overviews of EU Human Rights Policy: Council of the EU;
Freedom, Justice & Security Directorate General
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Agreements:
Council of Europe
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United Nations
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Conventions
Resolutions
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Commission on Human Rights Resolution 2002/77: The Question of the Death Penalty
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Safeguards Guaranteeing Protection of the
Rights of Those Facing the Death Penalty, Economic and
Social Council Resolution
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Resolutions of the United Nations on the question of the death penalty (as of June, 2007)
- 55th Session, UN Commission on Human Rights, Resolution
on the Death Penalty, Sponsored by the European Union, April 1999
- 55th Session, UN Commission on Human Rights, Resolution
on the Rights of the Child, Sponsored by the Group of the Latin American and the Caribbean States and the European Union, April 1999
- 56th Session, UN Commission on Human Rights, Resolution
on the Death Penalty Sponsored by the European Union, April 2000
- Resolution on the Question of the Death Penalty 2001/68,
April 25, 2001
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Articles:
International Organizations:
Council of Europe
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United Nations
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Others
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