Statement by the Spokesperson on the recent executions carried out in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia executed in the past days four people convicted for drug trafficking offenses. These recent executions bring the number of people put to death since January 2019 to over 45.

Over two thirds of the countries in the world have already abolished the death penalty by law or de facto. The European Union is unequivocally opposed to the use of capital punishment in all cases and without exception. It is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.

In the countries which still execute people, the European Union will continue to consistently reiterate its principled position against the death penalty and advocate for its abolition