Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland today expressed his dismay at reports of what appears to be the second execution in Belarus this year. Condemning the continuing practice of executions he said:
“I urge Belarus to adopt a formal moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolition of the death penalty. This would be an important step to bring Belarus closer to the Council of Europe and its values”.
He recalled that the death penalty is contrary to the fundamental rights upheld by the Council of Europe.
