Recommendation 1522 (2001)

Abolition of the death penalty in Council of Europe observer states

Author(s): Parliamentary Assembly

Origin - Assembly debate on 25 June 2001 (17th Sitting) (see Doc. 9115, report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, rapporteur: Mrs Wohlwend). Text adopted by the Assembly on 25 June 2001 (17th Sitting).

The Parliamentary Assembly refers to Resolution 1253 (2001) on the abolition of the death penalty in Council of Europe Observer states, and recommends that the Committee of Ministers:

1. initiate a dialogue with Japan and the United States of America on the Assembly’s requirements of immediately improving conditions on “Death Row” and instituting without delay a moratorium on executions with a view to the future abolition of the death penalty in both countries;

2. consider which measures it might take to encourage compliance by Japan and the United States of America with the Assembly’s resolution;

3. ensure that, henceforth, Observer status with the Organisation is granted only to countries which strictly respect a moratorium on executions or have already abolished the death penalty.