EU Policy On The Death Penalty
European Union Netherlands Presidency
EU Joins Representations to US Supreme Court on Death Sentence:
Condemned Man Was Only 17 at the Time the Offence
Was Committed 19-07-2004
The European Union (EU), together with the Council
of Europe, Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway and
Switzerland, has filed an amicus curiae brief
with the United States Supreme Court concerning the case of Roper v. Simmons.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear oral arguments in the case in October 2004.
The EU considers the principles of liberty, democracy, respect for human rights
and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law to be of vital importance both nationally
and in the international community. These principles are common to its 25 Member
States
In its amicus curiae brief, the EU informs the Supreme Court of its concerns
in relation to sentencing a juvenile offender to death. Christopher
Simmons was sentenced to death by a Missouri Court for a murder he committed
when he was 17. The amici share the widespread opinion of the international community
of States that the execution of persons who were under 18 years of age at the
time of their offence violates widely accepted human rights norms and the minimum
standards of human rights set out by the United Nations.
International Justice Project Media Advisory
Embassy
of the Netherlands
4200 Linnean Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20008-3896
(202) 244-5300 Fax (202) 362-3430
E-mail: was@minbuza.nl
