Debates

Thursday, 23 May 2013 - Strasbourg

India: execution of Mohammad Afzal Guru and its implications

  Kristiina Ojuland, on behalf of the ALDE Group. – Mr President, our relations with India have intensified over the years as India tries to find its role as a serious global partner. We must admit that the human rights situation in India has greatly improved in recent years, but still some serious issues remain unresolved.

As democratic principles are gaining a foothold in society, India needs to work hard to set a positive example in an unstable and fractious region. Therefore, it is highly regrettable that India has decided to end its unofficial moratorium on the death penalty that had lasted eight years.

This is a big step away from the humane values which we in the Liberal and Democratic Group, and in the European Union, consider limitless and universal. In addition, I would like to convey my serious concerns regarding the fairness and the impartiality of the judicial system in India. I hope the Indian Government will do its utmost to remedy the situation.

Finally, I would like to call on the Government of India, as a matter of urgency, not to approve any execution orders in the future.