Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the execution of Mr Wo Weihan in Beijing
- On: 28.11.2008
The European Union condemns in the strongest terms the execution of Mr Wo Weihan.
It deeply regrets the fact that China has not heeded the repeated calls by the European Union and several of its Member States for this execution to be deferred and for the death sentence passed against Mr Wo to be commuted.
It also deplores the conditions in which Mr Wo has been detained and tried, which have not complied with international standards.
The EU wishes to express its indignation at this execution, which comes just after the conclusion in Beijing of the EU-China human rights dialogue, in the course of which the EU reiterated its strong opposition to the death penalty and once again raised the case of Mr Wo Weihan and requested that he be pardoned.
This execution seriously undermines the spirit of trust and mutual respect required for this EU China dialogue on human rights.
The EU offers its most sincere condolences to his family and wishes to express its solidarity with the Austrian people, since Mr Wo's two daughters and their mother are Austrian nationals.
- Updated: 28.11.2008
