Following the recent execution of Patrick Gabaankanye, the European Union has called on the government of Botswana to reinstate a moratorium on executions to ensure that the country progresses towards the universal abolition of the death penalty.
Gabaankanye, has had several convictions which included murder, robbery, theft and rape dating back to 1983, was executed early on Thursday morning at the maximum security prison in Gaborone. His appeal against the death sentence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on July 30, 2015. However, the EU has called on Botswana to reconsider the death penalty.
The European Union believes that the death penalty is a cruel and inhumane punishment and has consistently called for its universal abolition. Experience worldwide has demonstrated that the death penalty fails to act as a deterrent to crime.
“Experience worldwide has demonstrated that the death penalty fails to act as a deterrent to crime. We call on the Botswana authorities to reinstate a moratorium on executions as a first step towards the universal abolition of death penalty,” the EU said.
