Strasbourg, 2 May 2012 - In a declaration adopted today, the Committee of Ministers calls on all countries which still apply the death penalty, including those holding observer status with the Council of Europe, to immediately apply a moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolition:

"The Committee of Ministers re-affirms its unequivocal opposition to the death penalty in all places and in all circumstances. We are convinced that its abolition contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and progressive development of human rights, of which the Council of Europe is the guarantor in Europe". (more...)