Macron Warns Against Death Penalty Debate, Cites Rising Executions
Quick Look
- French President Emmanuel Macron expressed dismay at the rising global number of executions, warning against renewed debate on the death penalty and calling it a fight for human dignity.
- He noted that last year saw the highest execution level since 1981, with 2,707 people executed in 17 countries.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke out against the death penalty, citing a global increase in executions.
French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Tuesday against a renewed debate in favour of the death penalty and said he was appalled by the rising number of executions around the world.
“Because today many in our societies once again believe that the death penalty is a solution, amid a confusion of principles and language,” he said.
He described the fight against the death penalty as a fight for human dignity and of the utmost relevance.
While the world had never been so close to abolishing the death penalty, there had never been so many executions in the countries that continued to practise it, he said.
“The number of executions even reached its highest level since 1981 last year: 2,707 people were executed by the authorities in 17 countries alone,” Macron said.
Open Questions
- Which 17 countries executed people last year?
- What is driving the increase in executions?
