European Union - Delegation of the European Union to Japan

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the execution of three persons in Japan on 28 July 2009

EU News 216/2009

Brussels, 30 July 2009
12502/09 (Presse 237)
P 88

The European Union notes with deep regret the execution by hanging of Messrs. Yukio
Yamaji, Chen Detong and Hiroshi Maeue on 28 July 2009.

The European Union is opposed to the use of capital punishment in all cases and under all
circumstances and has consistently called for its universal abolition. We believe that the
abolition of the death penalty is essential to protect human dignity, and to the progressive
development of human rights. The European Union considers this punishment cruel and
inhuman. It has not been found to act as a deterrent, and any miscarriage of justice – which
is inevitable in any legal system – is irreversible. Consequently, the death penalty has been
abolished throughout the European Union.

The European Union also recalls that, on December 18 2008, the United Nations General
Assembly adopted a Resolution on the death penalty, reaffirming its Resolution adopted in
December 2007, which calls upon all nations that still use the death penalty to institute a
moratorium on executions, with a view to abolishing the practice.

The European Union warmly welcomes and values its cooperation with Japan on a wide
range of human rights concerns around the world. The European Union takes this
opportunity to renew its call to the Japanese authorities for a moratorium on the application
of the death penalty, pending its complete legal abolition.

The European Union intends to call on the new Japanese Government after the elections to
express the European Union’s view as regards the use of capital punishment in Japan.

Source: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/cfsp/109464.pdf

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