10/10/2026
The death penalty must end. Everywhere.
More than two-thirds of countries have abolished it in law or in practice. Yet the death penalty is still retained and used in parts of the world. In 2025, 17 countries are known to have carried out executions.
The EU opposes the death penalty in all cases and all circumstances and will continue working towards its universal abolition.
Read the full joint statement by HR/VP Kaja Kallas and the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe: https://link.europa.eu/pYPbpR