Press Release: Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union concerning the execution of three persons in Japan on 28 July 2009

The European Union notes with deep regret the execution by hanging of Messrs. Yukio Yamaji, Chen Detong and Hiroshi Maeue on 28 July 2009. 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 has been abolished throughout the European Union.

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