The EU is calling on Taiwan to end capital punishment, but Taiwan’s foreign ministry said that their response to recent executions in Taiwan was milder than the last time.
Taiwan executed six prisoners on death row on Friday. The executions had followed a high-profile slaying of an elementary school girl in her school restroom.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini said the EU recognizes the suffering of the victims of the crimes involved but the death penalty can never be justified. The EU called on Taiwan to introduce an immediate moratorium on executions as recommended by international experts in March 2013 following Taiwan’s first human rights report.
Foreign ministry official Yi Chi-cheng said the EU response this time was milder than last time. Yi said, “In regards to how they responded, actually they know our death penalty policy and our representative has spoken with them, so their response this time is milder. It is the most moderate response they have ever given.”
Yi explained that last time the EU used the word “regret” to refer to Taiwan’s executions whereas this time they did not.