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Human Rights Commissioner Strässer on the executions in Jordan
Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid Christoph Strässer issued the following statement today (22 December) on the execution of eleven men in Jordan:
I am deeply shocked by the eleven executions in Jordan. This is a serious setback, given that Jordan had not enforced the death penalty since 2006.
I urgently appeal to the Jordanian Government to revoke its decision to reapply the death penalty and to impose a general moratorium on capital punishment as an initial step towards its abolition.
The death penalty is an inhumane, cruel and immoral form of punishment. It has no place in the 21st century. The Federal Government is opposed to the death penalty whatever the circumstances. Germany will continue to push consistently for its worldwide abolition, together with its partners in the EU.
Background information
On 21 December eleven men convicted of murder were executed in Jordan. This is the first time since March 2006 that the death penalty has been applied in the country. An official moratorium was not, however, in place.