EU Criticizes Iraq’s Plans To Execute 80 Persons
Executive orders for the execution of 80 persons have recently been announced in Iraq, with further possible execution orders to follow.
According to the EU’s External Office, the decision is a regrettable development as, following the formation of a new Government in Iraq in 2014, a review of all pending cases was undertaken.
“This review and a possible permanent suspension of all executions had been seen as a positive signal by the EU, in line with its principled opposition to the use of the death penalty,” said a spokesperson for the EU’s External Office in a statement.
According to the EU’s External Office, capital punishment is counter-productive as a crime deterrent.
“The EU strongly encourages Iraq to reinstate a de facto moratorium on the death penalty,” the EU’s External Office said.