Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the 1000th execution by lethal injection in the United States of America

The European Union notes with deep regret that, with the execution of Mr Marvallous Keene by the State of Ohio on 21 July, the United States has carried out its 1000th
execution by lethal injection since the reinstatement of the death penalty in 1976. The European Union is opposed to the use of capital punishment in all cases and under all
circumstances and has consistently called for its universal abolition. We believe that the abolition of the death penalty is essential to protect human dignity, and to the progressive development of human rights. The European Union considers this punishment cruel and
inhuman. It has not been found to act as a deterrent, and any miscarriage of justice – which is inevitable in any legal system – is irreversible. Consequently, the death penalty is abolished throughout the European Union.

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