ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL

SUBSTANTIVE SESSION of 1998

ITEM 14 (g): HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONS: REPORT OF CHR 54

STATEMENT BY DELEGATION OF AUSTRIA

ON BEHALF OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Mr. President,

I would like to make a statement on behalf of the European Union in connection with the report of the Commission on Human Rights.

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Since the issue of the death penalty was raised, we would like to put on record the position of the European Union. Earlier this year, the EU has decided, as an integral part of its human rights policy, to strengthen its international activities in opposition to the death penalty. The EU will work towards the universal abolition of the death penalty as a strongly held policy now agreed by all EU member states. In the process of attaining this primary objective, where the death penalty still exists, the EU will call for its use to be progressively restricted, and insist that it be carried out according to minimum standards. The EU will also press, where relevant, for moratoria to be introduced.

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