Statement by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the recent executions in Saudi Arabia

EU News 252/2013

Brussels, 24 May 2013
A 265/13

The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission issued the following statement today:

"I deplore the recent executions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of five Yemeni citizens convicted for murder and robbery.

While I recognize the seriousness of the crimes involved and extend my sympathy to the families of the victims, the EU opposes capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances. Capital punishment represents an irreversible loss of human life and there are numerous studies that demonstrate that it has no deterrent effect.

The EU calls for a global moratorium on the death penalty as a first step towards its universal abolition and calls on Saudi Arabia to seek alternatives to the death penalty."

Source: http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/137268.pdf

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