(EU) EU/KYRGYSTAN: EU WELCOMES MORATORIUM OF CAPITAL EXECUTIONS

Brussels, 11/01/1999 (Agence Europe) - On 31 December, the Austrian Presidency made the following declaration on behalf of the EU:

"The EU considers that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to increased dignity of the person and the gradual development of human rights. Having as tenacious goal the abolition of the death penalty, the EU greatly welcomes the two year moratorium relating to capital executions announced by President Akaev and which took effect on 4 December. This decision, whose announcement came on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human rights, is considered by the EU to be a gesture by the Kyrgystan authorities in favour of the promotion of human rights. The decision by the Kyrgystan authorities is indeed a first significant step on the path to the abolition of the death penalty. The EU encourages the Kyrgystan authorities to pursue their engagement and in their efforts in view of the abolition of the death penalty".