The EU & the campaign against the death penalty

We need to go back to its roots that lie in the tragedy of the Second World War, which resulted in endless killings

Today, October 10, the European Union (EU) celebrates the European and World Day against the Death Penalty. The 28 member states of the EU have banned capital punishment in their respective legislations and through the EU are pursuing the abolition of the death penalty worldwide.

To understand our strong commitment for this cause, it is necessary to go back to the origins of the EU, whose roots as an organisation lie deep down in the tragedy of the Second World War, which resulted in endless killings and massive human rights violations. This experience of the harm we did to ourselves and to others has taught us to reflect on all forms of violence. And the death penalty is one form of it.



As a principle, we reject the death penalty as inappropriate violence carried out by the state. We believe that it is a cruel and inhuman form of punishment to which no human being should be subjected. We also believe that, despite all efforts, no judicial system is perfect. Flaws in the investigation process and miscarriages of justice are inevitable and the death penalty renders them irreversible. When the death penalty is applied, it is inevitable that innocent people are executed.

Finally, we reject the alleged deterrent effect that the death penalty is supposed to have. Experiences from around the world teach us that death penalty does not prevent either the rise of terrorist crimes or any other forms of brutal crimes. In fact, many believe that violence begets more violence, and the use of death penalty may contribute to a more brutal and violent society.

We understand that with the tens of thousands of victims that terrorism has caused over the years in Pakistan, there was a strong popular call for retribution. We understand that the wanton massacre of almost 140 children at Peshawar’s Army Public School has been the trigger to lift the moratorium on death penalty, in place for many years. In the EU, we also face the rise of terrorist attacks. Nevertheless, for the reasons mentioned above, we will stick to our policy and continue to encourage countries worldwide to abolish the death penalty, be it the United States, China, Pakistan and others.

The rising tide of abolitionist countries is a sign that we are not alone in our appeal. In 1977, only 16 countries were abolitionist. Today there are 140 — more than two-thirds of the countries of the world — in law or practice.

Relations between the EU and Pakistan have been expanding year after year. Alongside our political dialogue on bilateral, regional and global issues, our significant cooperation programmes, our trade relations under GSP Plus (which has greatly benefited Pakistan since early last year), we have enlarged our dialogue to many sectors, not least on counterterrorism. While the EU stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism, we will continue to engage in a constructive spirit with all segments of society to call for the reinstatement of the moratorium on the death penalty, with the ultimate goal that Pakistan joins the group of abolitionist countries. We look forward to working with our friends from Pakistan to end violence, in all its forms.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 10^th, 2015.

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