EU lawmakers hold minute silence for death penalty victims
(BRUSSELS) - EU lawmakers observed a minute of silence Wednesday for victims of capital punishment to mark the World Day against the Death Penalty, with their president criticising China in particular.
"The death penalty must disappear across the world and the Olympic Games next year offer the occasion to break the wall of silence behind which China hides," said European Parliament president Hans-Gert Poettering.
The Council of Europe has proclaimed a European Day against the Death Penalty for October 10, but Poland blocked European Union plans to do the same.
The EU's current Portuguese presidency said that the 27-nation bloc was "committed to keep lobbying in various countries around the world in support of the abolition of the death penalty."
It also welcomed Rwanda's abolition of the death penalty in July, which it said represented a "powerful example to other countries."
Wednesday marks the fifth World Day against the Death Penalty.
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