TheCommittee of Ministers deplores the executions which have recently taken place in Japan and is deeply concerned with the increasing number of executions carried out in that country since 2012.
While welcoming some progress during the current year with the abolition of death penalty in the State of Maryland, the Committee of Ministers equally deplores the executions which have recently taken place in the USA.
These executions run counter to the growing trend against the death penalty at the international level as shown by the latest resolution on the moratorium on the use of death penalty adopted at the United Nations last year.
As observer States to the Council of Europe, both States committed themselves to share Council of Europe values and to make a positive contribution to the work of the Organisation. The Committee of Ministers calls again on the Japanese and US authorities to put an end to this inhumane practice with the establishment of a moratorium on the use of death penalty as a first step towards its abolition and to respect the values and principles of the Council of Europe.
The Committee of Ministers reiterates its unequivocal opposition to capital punishment in all places and in all circumstances. It remains determined to continue its efforts towards global abolition of this inhumane practice.
Japan and the Council of Europe
The United States of America and the Council of Europe