27 June 2019 09:45 pm
While stating that resuming death penalty would send a wrong signal to the world, the European Union (EU) today 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 a cruel, inhuman and a 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.