EU diplomats seek South Sudan’s support for moratorium on death penalty

November 17, 2008 (JUBA) — A delegation of European diplomats arrived in southern Sudan on Monday, seeking Sudan’s support for a European Union call for a moratorium on the death penalty.

“There is a particular concern which is important for the European Union… which is the issue of the death penalty and the call by the EU on the moratorium on the execution of the death penalty,” said French ambassador to Sudan, Christine Robichon.

Robichon spoke on behalf of a nine-member delegation of EU diplomats, including ambassadors from Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and representatives of the 27-nation bloc.

The interim constitution of semi-autonomous southern Sudan upholds the death sentence for those who commit the most serious crimes, and who are aged between 18 and 70, with pregnant women exempt.

In the north, dozens of people were this year sentenced to death by special courts, for alleged involvement in a Darfur rebel attack on Khartoum. Amnesty International says Sudan is one of the leading nations that sentences minors to death.

The three days of scheduled talks mark the first time that such a large group of EU diplomats are holding dialogue in southern Sudan.

“We will discuss different issues, of course, the CPA which is a strongly supported by the EU and all issues related to democratic transformation, human rights, and good governance,” Robichon said.

The French ambassador noted a “political will” in the south to create a democratic environment where civilians are protected, freedom of press upheld, and where accountability and transparency prevail.

“So we really have sessions on these issues, on human rights,” she said.

(AFP)