France calls for moratorium on death penalty

October 10, Pozirk. France has reiterated its strong opposition to the death penalty, wherever and whatever the circumstances, according to a statement released by its embassy in Minsk on the World Day Against the Death Penalty.

Paris welcomed the progress made towards the universal abolition of the death penalty and expressed regret that some countries still apply this “cruel, unjust and inhuman punishment.” It called on these countries to observe a moratorium as a step towards the complete abolition of the death penalty. It also called on all nations to sign and ratify the second optional protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which aims to abolish the death penalty.

“In this year of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, France is more opposed than ever to the death penalty,” the statement reads.

Belarus is the only country in Europe that continues to use the death penalty. Over the past 20 years, its officers have shot some 400 people sentenced to death. Only a few cases of clemency are known.

On March 25, amendments to the Criminal Code of Belarus came into force, expanding the use of the death penalty. Article 356 provides for the execution of officials and military personnel for high treason.