The European Union categorically opposes the Death Penalty:
The European Union (EU) is opposed to death penalty in all cases. It is the
strong view of the Union and its Member States that the abolition of the
death penalty would contribute to the enhancement of human dignity and the
progressive development of human rights.
Unfortunately, executions are routine in much of the world, as MIchael Kahr reminds us in his book Todestrafe 2004. The book documents worldwide state-sanctioned executions from 2001 through 2003. Much human creativity goes into this enterprise; thousands of individuals were put to death during this period by hanging, stoning, firing squads, gas, electricity, swords (beheadings) and (the preferred "humane" technique in the US) lethal injection.
There is not much positive news to report. Even as several countries (Turkey, Chile, Serbia, Armenia) phased out executions, the number of executions rose sharply in China, Iran, Vietnam and the United States. A running total – along with much useful information – can be found on the excellent Web site (German only) Todestrafe.de. There you learn the details of the more than 900 executions that have taken place in the "Christian" United States since capital punishment was reinstated in the 1970s.
It was the compassionate conservative George W. Bush who authorized more executions (135) while governor of Texas than any other state governor. Those executed were mostly Black or Hispanic, and included mentally retarded as well as juveniles. The legal briefs advocating the executions were provided by the state Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. A review of these briefs show that very little work went into them: they were sloppy and perfunctory. Andrew Sullivan has an appropriate commentary on his blog:
One of the
aspects of George W. Bush’s political career I have long found
troubling has been his evident comfort – even enthusiasm – for the
death penalty. As governor of Texas, he didn’t have much power to
prevent the extraordinary number of executions in his home state – but
he did have a chance to demonstrate his concern for human life by
reviewing each case very carefully. He didn’t. And a critical enabler
of this insouciance toward human life was Alberto Gonzales, whose work
on the legal memos for the then-governor has been criticized as shoddy,
peremptory and incomplete. I respect those who defend the death penalty
in necessity, even though I cannot morally acquiesce to it in any
circumstances. But the blitheness of Bush’s and Gonzales’ treatment of
the issue is surely troubling for those who are pro-life. Here is a man
implicated in two policies anathema to serious Catholics. He gave legal
sanction to torture – an absolute moral evil – and glibly facilitated
the executions of dozens. Why are pro-life writers apparently
untroubled by these facts? Or have I missed some out there?
Europeans can be justly proud that the scourge of the Death Penalty has been eradicated in the EU, but continued vigilence is required. Recent polls have shown that about 50% of Germans favor reinstating capital punishment. In the new member states such as Poland the number is 70%
