"We are closely following judicial proceedings in Bangladesh. The European Union reiterates its strong and absolute opposition to capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances. We consider the death penalty to be a cruel and inhumane punishment, which is not a deterrent to criminal behaviour and which represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity. With capital punishment any miscarriage of justice – which can happen in any legal system – is irreversible. The European Union calls on the Bangladeshi authorities to stay all pending executions, and establish a moratorium on the use of the death penalty, as a first step towards its abolition."