Source: Germany - Federal Foreign Office |

Statement by the Human Rights Commissioner on suspension of the death penalty in the Gambia

BERLIN, Germany, February 21, 2018/APO Group/ --

Dr. Bärbel Kofler, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid at the Federal Foreign Office, issued the following statement today (20 February) on the suspension of the death penalty in the Gambia:

“I warmly welcome the decision by Gambian President Adama Barrow to suspend the use of the death penalty in his country as a first step towards abolition. The moratorium also sends a positive message by President Barrow as regards furthering reforms and fostering political change in the Gambia.

The death penalty is an inhuman and cruel form of punishment. The German Government rejects the death penalty under all circumstances and will continue to work with its partners in the European Union to actively campaign for its worldwide abolition.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Germany - Federal Foreign Office.