Resuming death penalty will send wrong signal and Affect GSP+: EU

While stating that resuming death penalty would send a wrong signal to the world, the European Union (EU) yesterday said it would continue to monitor Sri Lanka’s effective implementation of the international conventions relating to the GSP+ commitment.   

In a statement, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Maja Kocijancic said the EU would monitor 27 international conventions relating to the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) commitment, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. “Resuming the death penalty would send a wrong signal to the international community, investors and partners of the country.

Such a move would directly contradict Sri Lanka’s commitment taken at the 73rd United Nations General Assembly in December 2018 to maintain the moratorium,” she said. She said death penalty was cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment, and the EU unequivocally opposes its use in all circumstances and all cases. “While the Sri Lankan authorities have cited the need to address drug-related offences, studies show that the death penalty fails to act as a deterrent to crime. Since the end of the internal conflict, Sri Lanka has achieved major progress to consolidate the basis for a resilient, democratic and inclusive society. The European Union, as a partner and friend of Sri Lanka, expects the authorities to make every effort to preserve these achievements, and to uphold the country’s international commitments,” Kocijancic said.