European Union and Council of Europe welcome the BiH Constitutional Court Decision on repealing the death penalty provision in the RS Constitution

The EU Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Council of Europe Office in Sarajevo welcome the decision rendered by the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 4 October 2019 to formally repeal Article 11 of the Constitution of the Republika Srpska Entity, as a symbol of strong commitment to common European values. This is in line with the key priorities identified in the European Commission Opinion on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU membership application and the Council of Europe standards.

The EU and Council of Europe Office reiterate the strong opposition to capital punishment in all cases and for all circumstances.  The absolute ban on the death penalty in all circumstances is entrenched in Protocol 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

We recall that on 9 October, on the occasion of the World Day Against the Death Penalty, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini and CoE Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić issued a joint declaration expressing the support to work towards the abolition of the death penalty worldwide and encouraging all countries to join the global Alliance for Torture-Free Trade.

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