Council of the EU speaks about the 1000th execution by lethal injection in the USA



Brussels, 21 July 2009
12256/09 (Presse 223)

Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the 
1000th execution by lethal injection in the United States
of America

The European Union notes with deep regret that, with the execution of 
Mr Marvallous Keene by the State of Ohio on 21 July, the United 
States has carried out its 1000th execution by lethal injection since 
the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976.

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 
is abolished throughout the European Union.

http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/en/cfsp/
109298.pth