Vol. 502 No. 6
42 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he has taken to protest at the continued use of the death penalty in the United States particularly in view of recent proposals to extend this to Massachusetts. [8857/99]
The Government is totally opposed to the use of the death penalty. We will use every suitable opportunity to press for its abolition.
With regard to the use of capital punishment in the United States, I would refer the Deputy to my statement in the Seanad on 17 February last, in which I expressed my deep regret at the executions which continue to take place there. I also noted that it was the deeply held view of the Irish Government, and that of the other member states of the European Union, that the abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and the progressive development of human rights.
On that occasion, I informed the Seanad that common guidelines for EU initiatives on the issue of the death penalty had been agreed and adopted by EU Foreign Ministers in June 1998. These guidelines state that, where the death penalty still exists, the EU will continue to press for its use to be progressively restricted and for moratoria to be introduced. In addition to interventions on the use of the death penalty in principle, it has been agreed that, where individual cases violate basic minimum standards, the European Union will consider making a specific intervention. It is our strong belief that an EU intervention carries greater force than individual bilateral approaches by national Governments.
Following the adoption of these guidelines, the Union's efforts have continued to focus on promoting universal abolition of the death penalty. On behalf of all member states, the EU Presidency has issued démarches on the use of the death penalty in a number of countries. Over the last year, the EU has intervened in the following death-row cases in the United States: Joseph Cannon in Texas, Robert Carter in Texas, Dwayne Allen Wright in Virginia, Mummia Abu Jamal in Pennsylvania, Karl and Walter Lagrand (both German nationals) in Arizona and, most recently, Sean Sellars in Oklahoma.
In relation to the situation in Massachusetts, we understand that the proposals of Governor Cellucci to re-introduce the death penalty in that State are due to be voted on this week. We will await the outcome of this vote and, in the event that capital punishment is re-introduced, we will consider appropriate action in consultation with our EU partners.
