COLOMBO (News 1st) – The European Union in a joint statement requests the government of Sri Lanka to maintain its moratorium on the death penalty in line with its vote at the 73rd United National General Assembly in December 2018.

The statement noted the government of Sri Lanka has recently taken measures towards resuming executions and bringing an end to Sri Lanka’s 43-year-old moratorium on the death penalty as part of the war on drugs.

The EU while acknowledging that combatting the proliferation of drugs is a serious challenge for countries around the world and action to counter the illicit drug trade is important and necessary, states evidence does not support the argument that the death penalty is an effective deterrent.

The EU added that they are more than willing to share their experience in addressing the threat posed by drugs.

EU went on to note that the death penalty is an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.

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