The Secretary General of the 47-nation Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland, has expressed his deep concern at reports of three executions being carried out in Belarus.

“Every single execution is an horrendous violation of the right to life, the most fundamental of all human rights,” he said.

“The Council of Europe condemns this cruel and out-dated punishment in all circumstances, and in all countries”.

“I once again urge Belarus to rapidly introduce a moratorium on the death penalty as a first step towards abolition. We continue to work with the authorities and other stakeholders to bring about a change in public opinion on the death penalty.”