Τhe struggle for the abolition of the death penalty continues: Joint statement on the European and World Day against the Death Penalty
High Representative on behalf of the European Union and the Secretary-General on behalf of the Council of Europe made a joint statement on the European and World Day against the Death Penalty (10 October 2021): "The European Union and the Council of Europe reaffirm their firm opposition to capital punishment at all times and in all circumstances. The death penalty is a cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment contrary to the right to life. Its abolition is essential to ensure respect for human dignity. This year’s World Day is dedicated to women. Although women represent a small percentage of global death sentences, gender-based discrimination continues to impact women at all levels of the criminal justice system. In some countries, women are sentenced to death at higher rates than men for offences linked to sexual morality, such as adultery. Moreover, mitigating circumstances related to gender-based violence and abuse are rarely taken into consideration during the criminal proces