EU Policy On The Death Penalty

Washington, DC, 8 January, 2001

The Honorable Frank Keating
The Governor of Oklahoma
State Capitol Building
Oklahoma City, OK 73105

 

Dear Governor Keating,

The European Union has taken note of the fact that eight persons are scheduled to be executed in Oklahoma in the period between 9 January and 1 February: Mr. Eddie Trice, Ms. Wanda Jean Allen, Mr. Floyd Medlock, Mr. Dion Smallwood, Mr. Mark Fowler, Mr. Billy Ray Fox, Mr. Loyd Lafevers and Mr. D. L. Jones.

On behalf of the European Union, Sweden, as the current President, together with Belgium, the subsequent President, and the European Commission, would like to convey to you our deep concern with the high number of executions planned to take place in Oklahoma in a short period of time.

The European Union is, as stated in the EU Memorandum on the Death Penalty, which was shared with you last March, opposed to the death penalty in all cases and accordingly aims at its universal abolition, seeking a global moratorium on the death penalty as a first step. In view of recent developments and discussions, we would like to encourage you to consider the introduction of a moratorium in the State of Oklahoma.

Furthermore, the European Union takes a particular position regarding the imposition of the death penalty on persons suffering from a mental disorder, considering that executions under these circumstances degrade the dignity and worth of the human being. Among the eight persons scheduled for execution in Oklahoma in the next month two are, as evidenced by experts, considered to be mentally deficient:

Ms Wanda Jean Allen, scheduled to be executed on 11 January and Mr. Dion Smallwood, scheduled to be executed on 18 January.

We would like to express our grave concern with the imposition of the death penalty on these two persons. The European Union is of the opinion that the execution of them would be in contradiction to the minimum standards set forth in several international human rights instruments. Among them are the United Nations Economic and Social Council 1984/50 resolution on the safeguards for the protection of persons facing the death penalty and resolution 2000/65 adopted at the last session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, which specifically urges all states that still maintain the death penalty "not to impose the death penalty on a person suffering from any form of mental disorder or to execute any such person".

We therefore respectfully urge you, Governor, to take these factors into account and to exercise all powers vested in your office to commute the sentences of Ms. Allen and Mr. Smallwood in accordance with international law.

Yours sincerely,

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Embassy of Sweden,
1501 M Street, N.W.,
Washington DC 20005
tel: (202) 467-2600, fax: (202) 467-2699
Homepage: www.swedenemb.org