The end of the death penalty

One day, in the not too distant future, the death penalty will be eradicated throughout the world. It may take time, but it will happen. It is an inevitable consequence of the slow but steady evolution towards ever higher standards of civilisation. Two centuries ago, the entire civilised world abolished slavery because it accepted that human bondage was inhuman and wrong. Hopefully, sooner rather than later, the death penalty will meet the same fate.

In Europe, only Belarus continues to execute people. The tide is also turning in other parts of the world. More and more countries in all continents are either abolishing the death penalty or critically reviewing its application.

Europe can play a role in reinforcing the global trend towards abolition. Some of our closest friends and allies continue to execute people. Politely but persistently, we should encourage them to follow our example and say yes to justice and no to cruelty.

But even in Europe, the abolition of death penalty is still unfinished business. Many Europeans are still in favour of the death penalty. This is not something we can ignore. We need to go out and explain to people why the death penalty is wrong, why it has been abolished, and why it should stay abolished.

Abolishing the death penalty must be accompanied by the introduction of adequate alternative sanctions – where these do not yet exist – that provide for the highest possible protection of the public and take into account the rights of the victims.

We need to encourage all European countries to sign and ratify Protocol 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights, which bans the death penalty in all circumstances. This will consolidate the legal prohibition of capital punishment in Europe and send an important signal to other parts of the world.