EU Policy On The Death Penalty

Washington, DC, June 11, 2001
The Honorable Bob Taft

The Governor of Ohio
77 South High Street, 30^th Floor
Columbus, OH 43215-6117

Dear Governor Taft:

The European Union has learnt that Mr. Jay Scott is scheduled to be executed on June 14, 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 appeal on behalf of Mr. Scott.

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. As a first step, the EU seeks a global moratorium on the death penalty. We note that Mr. Scott would be the first person in Ohio to be executed against his will since 1963. In view of recent developments and discussions, we would like to encourage you to consider the introduction of a moratorium in the State of Ohio.

The European Union further notes that Mr. Scott is reported to have developed serious mental illness in the past few years. A prison doctor in December 2000 diagnosed him as suffering from schizophrenia of the "chronic undifferentiated type." Already several years before Mr. Scott reportedly exhibited clear signs and symptoms of a severe mental illness.

We believe that the execution of a person suffering from a mental disorder 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 2001/68 adopted at this year's 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. Scott to life imprisonment or such other penalty as is compatible with international law.

Swedish Embassy Press Release.

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Embassy of Sweden,
1501 M Street, N.W.,
Washington DC 20005
tel: (202) 467-2600, fax: (202) 467-2699
Homepage: www.swedenemb.org