The Committee of Ministers deeply regrets the recent execution of Mr Pavel Selyun, who was one of the four persons sentenced to death by the Belarussian authorities in 2013.

The Committee of Ministers believes that this is an inhumane practice and a violation of human dignity that neither brings relief to the families of the victims nor is a deterrent to crime. Such actions lead Belarus further away from the values of the Council of Europe.
The Committee of Ministers recalls its Declaration of 22 January 2014 and reiterates its appeal therein for the commutation of sentences handed down last year.

The Committee of Ministers strongly urges Belarus to establish a formal moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolition of the death penalty.