EU Policy On The Death Penalty
Washington, DC, 21 February, 2001
The Honorable Bob Holden
The Governor of Missouri
Missouri Capitol Building
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0720
Dear Governor Holden,
The European Union has
learnt that Mr.. Antonio Richardson is scheduled to be executed in the State
of Missouri on 7 March, 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.. Richardson.
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 www.eurunion.org),
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.
The European Union has taken note that Mr.. Richardson
was under the age of 18 at the time of the commission of the crime. The EU Member
States adhere to the principle that juveniles who have committed a crime, however
serious, should be treated differently from adults. This position also includes
the rejection of the death penalty for this category of offenders.
The EU view of juvenile justice is consistent
with international standards in the field, as reflected in the United Nations
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). While recognizing
that the United States has made a reservation to Article 6 of this Covenant, the
EU believes that this article enshrines the minimum rules for the protection of
the right to life and is the generally accepted norm in this area.
Furthermore, the European Union has taken note
that Mr.. Richardson has been diagnosed of having a mental disorder. Also in this
case, the execution of Mr.. Richardson would be in contradiction to the minimum
standards set forth in several international human rights instruments. Among them
are 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 factors and considerations into account,
the European Union respectfully appeals to you, Governor, to exercize all powers
invested in your office to commute the sentence of Mr. Richardson to life imprisonment
or such other penalty as is compatible with international law.
Yours sincerely,
|
Jan Eliasson
|
Alex Reyn
|
Günter Burghardt
|
|
Ambasador of Sweden
|
Ambassador of Belgium
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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
