EU Policy On The Death Penalty
Washington, DC, 24 January, 2001
The Honorable Don Sundquist
The Governor of Tennessee
The Office of the Governor
State Capitol Building
Nashville, TN 37243-0001
Dear Governor,
The European Union has taken note of the fact that Mr. Philip Workman is
scheduled to be executed in the State of Tennessee on 31 January, 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. Workman.
As stated in the EU Memorandum on the Death Penalty, which was shared
with you last March, the European Union is opposed to the death penalty in
all cases and accordingly aims at its universal abolition, seeking a
global moratorium on the death penalty as the first step. Our views were
also conveyed in letters sent to you on 3 April and 4 April, 2000.
The European Union appreciates that the State of Tennessee upheld a de
facto moratorium for more than forty years. We regret that this
moratorium was terminated with the execution of Mr. Robert Glen Coe on 19
April, 2000 and that now another execution is planned. In light of recent
developments and discussions on this issue, we would like to encourage you
to consider the reintroduction of a moratorium in the State of Tennessee.
The European Union also respectfully urges you, Governor, to exercise all powers
invested in your office to commute the sentence of Mr. Workman.
| 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
