Bishop Declan Lang has welcomed figures showing a continued decrease in executions around the world and repeated calls for the UK government to help continue momentum towards global abolition of the death penalty.
Speaking following the release of figures which showed a further 5% drop in recorded executions last year, Bishop Declan who chairs the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Department of International Affairs said:
“Catholic teaching is clear that the death penalty is inadmissible and the Church works with determination for its abolition. This applies whatever offence somebody has been convicted of and wherever they are in the world.
“I am very encouraged that globally use of the death penalty has decreased for another year. However, hundreds of people are still being executed by their governments and in some countries, the number has increased dramatically.
“I urge our own government to put working towards global abolition of the death penalty at the forefront of its foreign policy. Through committed diplomatic and economic pressure, the UK can help maintain the momentum towards ending this gross violation of human dignity where it still exists.”
