Joint statement by signing countries and the European Union regarding the Privy Council ruling on the death penalty

The signing countries and the EU note the landmark ruling by the United Kingdom Privy Council of 16 May 2022, stating that the mandatory sentence of death for murder in Trinidad and Tobago is constitutional, but also that its permanence goes against global trends towards abolition of the death penalty and the higher standards enshrined in the Constitution.

 The signing countries and the EU reaffirm their firm opposition to capital punishment at all times and in all circumstances. The death penalty is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. Its abolition is essential to ensure respect for human dignity.

 Capital punishment has no place in our world. It has no established deterrent effect and it renders judicial errors irreversible. We welcome the fact that the number of countries that apply capital punishment continues to fall. In 2021, no executions took place in 175 countries representing 91% of UN membership.

 Human rights remain a central feature of our engagement with Trinidad and Tobago. The signing countries and the EU will continue to engage on this issue. We will continue our efforts to achieve the goal of the universal abolition of the death penalty.

 Australian High Commission 

Embassy of the United Mexican States

Embassy of the French Republic

Embassy of the Federative Republic of Germany      

Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

Embassy of the Kingdom of Spain

The EU Delegation to Trinidad and Tobago