Reintroduction of the death penalty in Turkey
19.7.2016
Question for written answer E-005954-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Nikos Androulakis (S&D)
Following the failed coup attempt in Turkey, President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Yildirim are considering the reintroduction of the death penalty in Turkey.
However, Article 2 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union explicitly states that ‘No one shall be condemned to the death penalty, or executed’.
At the same time, Protocols 6 and 13 of the European Convention for the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms call for the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances.
In view of this and the declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union of 13 July 2003, as well as Article 6 of the Treaty on European Union, which provides that the European Union shall accede to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and that such rights shall constitute the general principles of the Union's law:
- —Can the Commission say what measures it intends to take to prevent the reintroduction of the death penalty in Turkey?
- —How will the possible reintroduction of the death penalty affect relations between the European Union and Turkey and the process of Turkish accession EU?