The United Kingdom, in a joint statement delivered at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), has reaffirmed its categorical opposition to the death penalty. The statement, made on behalf of Andorra, Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, San Marino, the United Kingdom, and Norway, marked the 24th World Day against the Death Penalty, observed on 10 October.
The participating states expressed deep concern over a global trend observed last year, which saw a rise in executions and a renewed use of the death penalty by a few states. They asserted that the death penalty violates human rights, is contrary to human dignity, and does not make communities safer or deter crime.
The joint statement specifically urged Belarus to reverse the trend of extending the death penalty to additional categories of crime and to establish a moratorium on executions. It also called on the United States to reinstate its federal moratorium on executions.
The countries involved committed to the universal abolition of the death penalty and encouraged all states to fully abolish it or, at minimum, establish an immediate moratorium. They also called on participating States to support the UN General Assembly moratorium resolution later this year.