France deeply concerned over death penalty

France expressed deep concern at the possibility of Sri Lanka recommencing the death penalty in a statement via its Embassy yesterday, and urged the authorities to maintain the moratorium on the death penalty.

The Sri Lankan authorities announced their intention to execute persons sentenced to death, which would end the moratorium on the use of the death penalty observed by Sri Lanka for 43 years, the French Embassy said in the statement.  “France reaffirms its opposition to the death penalty everywhere and under all circumstances, and encourages Sri Lanka to join the countries that have permanently abolished this inhumane, unjust and ineffective punishment.” 

A resumption of executions would be inconsistent with the recent commitments made by Sri Lanka, which voted in support of the resolution calling for a universal moratorium on the use of the death penalty during the most recent UN General Assembly session just six months ago, with the Justice Minister taking part in the 7th World Congress against the Death Penalty in Brussels in February.