The adoption of the Resolution "Moratorium on the use of death penalty" at the UN General Assembly on 16 December is an important achievement for the abolitionist cause worldwide. The record number of 123 votes in favour, up from 104 when a Resolution was first adopted in 2007, is further confirmation of the growing consensus on this issue. The death penalty is a cruel and inhuman punishment that neither deters violent crime nor contributes to a safer society. On the contrary, killing as a punishment perpetuates a cycle of senseless violence.

The European Union, together with our governmental and non-governmental partners around the world, will continue to work tirelessly to persuade and encourage the few countries that still use capital punishment to abolish it.