Martin Schulz appalled by the reported execution of Uladzislau Kavalyou

The President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz made the following statement on the use of the death penalty and the reported execution of Uladzislau Kavalyou in Belarus.

"I am appalled by the reported execution of Uladzislau Kavalyou in Belarus. On behalf of the European Parliament, I send condolences to the family. I deeply regret that the Belarusian authorities did not listen to the repeated calls to halt the execution by the EU institutions and international human rights organisations.

I call on the Belarus authorities to show some human dignity and return the body to the family.

Burying it in an anonymous grave is simply disgraceful and unacceptable in 21st century Europe.

I am concerned that the fate of the second convict Dzmitry Kanavalau remains unknown. If it is not too late, I urge the Belarusian authorities to immediately halt the execution.

The death penalty is irrevocable, inhumane and degrading. The European Parliament opposes it in all cases.

I urge Belarus, the last remaining country in Europe that still uses it, to introduce a moratorium on capital punishment immediately."