EUROPEAN UNION
Brussels, 30 May 2012
A 240/12

Statement by the Spokesperson of High Representative Catherine
Ashton on the use of the death penalty in Iran

The spokesperson of Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign
Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the Commission, issued the following statement
today:
“The High Representative remains deeply concerned by the alarming increase in the number of
reported executions in Iran. According to the latest data, compiled from a number of sources, the
rate of executions in Iran during the first 5 months of 2012 confirmed the country as one of the
world’s leading users of the death penalty – as was also the case in 2011. In the week beginning 14
May alone, the Iranian authorities confirmed that 35 executions took place.
Thousands of individuals remain at risk of execution, even for acts which are not considered as
among the most serious crimes according to international minimum standards. The EU calls upon
Iran to commute all such death sentences.
The situation in Iran goes against the worldwide trend towards the abolition of the death penalty.
The EU holds a strong and principled position against the death penalty. It calls on Iran, as it does
on all states which insist on maintaining capital punishment, to halt pending executions and to
introduce a moratorium on the death penalty.”

P R E S S
FOR FURTHER DETAILS:
Michael Mann +32 498 999 780 – +32 2 299 97 80 – Michael.Mann@eeas.europa.eu
Maja Kocijancic +32 498 984 425 – +32 2 298 65 70 – Maja.Kocijancic@ec.europa.eu
Sebastien Brabant +32 460 75 09 98 – Sebastien.Brabant@ec.europa.eu
COMM-SPP-HRVP-ASHTON@ec.europa.eu
www.eeas.europa.eu