Local EU Statement on a Death Sentence in Belarus

We recently learnt of yet another death sentence, one that was handed down by the Vitsyebsk Regional Court on 22 September 2017 to Viktar Lyotaw. The European Union holds a principled position against the application of the death penalty at all times and in any circumstances. The death penalty violates the right to life and is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment.

Thus we call on the Belarusian authorities to commute the existing death sentences and to establish a moratorium on the death penalty as a first step towards its abolition.