EU concerned over Kasab's execution
24 November, 2012
ISLAMABAD: The European Union has expressed concern over the execution of Ajmal Kasab and said it opposes the use of death penalty in all cases and under any circumstances. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission in a statement said she was very concerned by the execution which took place in Pune. "Irrespective of the merits of the case, I deeply regret this breach of the de facto moratorium on the death penalty observed by India since 2004, which also goes against the global abolitionist trend," she said. The EU representative said her organisation recognised that terrible murders were committed at the heart of this case and was aware of the suffering of the victims and their families. "However, I do not believe that capital punishment can ever be justified," she said. She mentioned that the execution came just two days after the adoption, in the UN 3rd Committee, of the Resolution on Moratorium on the use of the death penalty with an unprecedented number of votes in favour. She called upon the Indian authorities to reintroduce the moratorium on executions as a first step towards definitive abolition of capital punishment. End.
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