EU Statement on a death sentence in Belarus
The Delegation of the European Union to Belarus has issued the following statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Belarus.
A death sentence was pronounced on Aliaksei Mikhalenia in Belarus on 17 March 2017, in contradiction of the commitment made by the authorities to consider the introduction of a moratorium on the death penalty.
Aliaksei Mikhalenia was convicted of a serious crime and we extend our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of the victims.
The European Union opposes capital punishment in all cases without exception. The death penalty represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity and does not act as a deterrent to crime.
We call on Belarus to join the global moratorium as a first step towards the abolition of the death penalty.
Tangible steps taken by Belarus to respect universal fundamental freedoms, rule of law and human rights, including on the death penalty, will remain key for the shaping of the EU's future policy towards Belarus.
