Letter from the President of Georgia

to the President of the European Parliament

PRESIDENT OF GEORGIA

November 26, 1996

Dear Mr. Hänsch,

Thank you for your letter of November 19. I read it attentively, and I wish to address the issue you brought to my attention.

Since February 1995, no one has been executed in Georgia and it is my hope that this defacto moratorium on capital punishment will continue.

Georgia has resolutely embarked upon the path of constructing an humane, democratic society. Despite the very serious difficulties we may encounter, we still essentially share the firm position of the European Parliament on the necessity of the abolition of the death penalty. Under the new Georgian Constitution, until this is achieved, the death penalty can be handed down only for willful destruction of human life.

In the near future the Georgian Parliament will enact the new Criminal Code, into which foreign experience and pertinent documents of international organizations have been incorporated.

Again, thank you for your letter of concern, and please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours truly,

Eduard Shevardnadze

His Excellency

Klaus Hänsch,

President of the European Parliament