Joint local statement on execution in Japan

Tokyo, 11 November 2016

The European Union Delegation, the Heads of Mission of EU Member States and the Heads of Mission of Norway and Switzerland issue the following statement in Japan:

On 11 November 2016, an execution was carried out in Japan, adding to the twenty three other persons that have been executed since March 2012. It comes roughly one month after the Japan Federation of Bar Associations adopted a declaration calling for the abolition of capital punishment by 2020. The European Union (EU), its Member States, Norway and Switzerland have consistently and repeatedly called on the Japanese authorities to adopt a moratorium on executions, recalling the period of 20 months before March 2012 when no executions in the country took place.

We hold a strong and principled position against the death penalty and we are opposed to the use of capital punishment under any circumstances. The death penalty is cruel and inhuman, and has not been shown in any way to act as a deterrent to crime. Furthermore, any errors - inevitable in any legal system - are irreversible. We will continue our active pursuit of its abolition worldwide.

We join all of those who, in Japan and abroad, have asked for a thorough review of Japan's current policy.

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