The Heads of Mission take note of the publication of the Singapore Prison Service's annual statistics for 2019, indicating that 4 judicial executions have taken place in 2019.

The European Union, the EU Member States and Norway and Switzerland call on all retentionist countries, including Singapore, to adopt a moratorium on all executions. The death penalty is being abolished around the world. Over the last 10 years, 12 countries have abolished the death penalty for all crimes and no executions took place in 160 countries, 83% of the total number of UN Member States.

We hold a principled position against the death penalty and are opposed to the use of capital punishment under any circumstances. No compelling evidence exists to show that the death penalty serves as a more efficient deterrent to crime than imprisonment. Moreover, rehabilitation as an objective of modern criminal law is frustrated by the application of capital punishment. Furthermore, any errors - inevitable in any legal system - are irreversible.

The European Union, the EU Member States and Norway and Switzerland will continue supporting the universal trend towards the eradication of the death penalty.