24/07/2015 Legal Affairs and Human Rights
Marietta Karamanli (France, SOC), Rapporteur General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) on the abolition of the death penalty, has expressed grave concern following the adoption yesterday by the Tunisian Parliament of a series of provisions in the new “anti-terrorism” law, including punishments which may extend to the death penalty.
“I share the shock caused by the recent cowardly and cruel attacks in Tunisia. However, I must strongly condemn any legislative initiative that makes provision for the death penalty. The death penalty is inhumane and never justified, irrespective of the circumstances. European experience has shown conclusively that the death penalty does not prevent violent crime. Threatening the use of the death penalty is completely pointless as a means of dissuading “jihadist” terrorists who are ready to commit suicide attacks. If we give up our humanist ideals, we actually play into the hands of the terrorists, who want to destroy our open and democratic societies.
In 2010, our Assembly introduced Partner for Democracy status in order to strengthen institutional co-operation with parliaments of non-member states in neighbouring regions wishing to participate in the political debate on common challenges which transcend European boundaries. The adoption of legislation of this kind goes against the common values underpinning such a partnership.”