EU Policy On The Death Penalty

Embassy of France in the United States

The consul general-commercial counselor in Houston

 

Contact: Pierre lepetit
Telephone: 713 985 3287
Fax: 713 572 2911
E-mail: pierre.lepetit@diplomatie.fr

June 22, 2000

The Honorable George BUSH
Governor of the State of Texas
State Capitol
P.O Box 12428
Austin 78711 

 

Dear Governor Bush,

As Representative of France, a member of the troika of the European Union, in Texas and on behalf of Portugal, the current President of the European Union, I would like to renew the urgent humanitarian appeal made by the EU on behalf of Mr. Gary Graham.

Permit me to draw your attention to the fact that Mr. Graham was only 17 years old at the time of the crime for which he was convicted. Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) - to which the United States is a party - expressly forbids the execution of people whose crime was committed when they were under 18 years of age. The EU considers that this would be contrary to generally accepted human rights norms.

As you know, several reports stress that Mr. Graham might be innocent. The European Union appeals to your sense of justice and moral responsibility to prevent a fatal error from being made. Our democracies have always taken pride in promoting compassionate justice and committing themselves to defend the value of human life.

Sincerely,

Pierre Lepetit
Consul General

777 Post Oak Boulevard,
Suite 600
HOUSTON, TX 77056
Tel: 713 985 32 87 Fax: 713 572 29 11