The European Union Delegation, the EU Heads of Mission, and the Heads of Mission of Australia and Canada accredited to Botswana issue the following statement:

In light of the execution of Mr Mmika Michael Mpe, which took place on 21 February 2020 and which is the second execution in only three months, the Heads of MIssion reaffirm their strong opposition to capital punishment in all circumstances.

The death penalty is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to deter criminal behaviour and which represents a grave denial of human dignity and integrity.  Any miscarriage of justice – which is an inherent risk in any legal system – is irreversible.  The African Continent has joined the growing trend towards abolition of the death penalty worldwide with 80% of the members of the African Union having already abolished the death penalty in law or in practice.

The Heads of Mission continue to call on Botswana to initiate a public debate on its use of the death penalty, as the Government of Botswana has already agreed in the Universal Periodic Review of the UN Human Rights Council in January 2018.  They stand ready to share their experience with the process of abolishing the death penalty