EU Policy On The Death Penalty
Washington, DC, 26 March 2001
The Honorable Kenny Guinn
The Governor of Nevada
Governor's Office
101 North Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Dear Governor Guinn,
The European Union has learnt that Mr. Thomas Nevius, who was
sentenced to death in Nevada in 1982, will receive a clemency hearing on 11 April
2001. Representing the European Union, Sweden, as the current President, together
with Belgium, the subsequent President, and the European Commission, would like
to make an urgent humanitarian appeal on behalf of Mr. Nevius.
As stated in the EU Memorandum on the Death Penalty, which was
shared with you last March (it can also be found on the web page http://www.eurunion.org/legislat/DeathPenalty/eumemorandum.htm),
the European Union is opposed to the death penalty in all cases and accordingly
aims at its universal abolition. In countries applying the death penalty, the
EU seeks to ensure that the executions are carried out in accordance with the
minimum standards set forth in several international human rights instruments.
European Union has taken note that Mr. Nevius has been diagnosed
as being mentally retarded, with tests placing his IQ at between 57 and 68. The
execution of Mr. Nevius would be in contradiction to the United Nations ECOSOC
Safeguards Guaranteeing Protection of the Rights of those Facing the Death Penalty,
as well as resolution 2000/65 adopted at the last session of the United Nations
Commission on Human Rights. This resolution specifically urges all states still
maintaining the death penalty "not to impose the death penalty on a person
suffering from any form of mental disorder or to execute any such person."
Taking these considerations into account, the European Union respectfully
appeals to you, Governor, to exercise all powers invested in your office to commute
the sentence of Mr. Nevius to life imprisonment or such other penalty as is compatible
with international law.
|
Jan Eliasson |
Alex Reyn |
Günter Burghardt |
|
Ambasador of Sweden |
Ambassador of Belgium |
Head of the Delegation of the European Commission |
Embassy of Sweden,
1501 M Street, N.W.,
Washington DC 20005
tel: (202) 467-2600, fax: (202) 467-2699
Homepage: www.swedenemb.org
