Statement on the Execution of Mr. Ronnie Lee Gardner

WASHINGTON, June 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following the execution of Mr. Ronnie Lee Gardner, the Acting Head of Delegation of the European Union Delegation to the United States, Angelos Pangratis, made the following statement:

"The European Union (EU) expresses its profound regret at the execution of Mr. Ronnie Lee Gardner by the Utah State Prison firing squad. The EU reiterates its universal opposition to the use of capital punishment and urges the immediate establishment of a global moratorium on its use with a view to abolition. The fact that Mr. Gardner chose the methodology of his execution in no way mitigates the imposition of death by the state. The European Union takes note of the opposition to the death penalty in this case by the family of one of Mr. Gardner's victims and calls upon all states to work to improve justice and reparations for victims of violence and murder that do not require additional deaths."

SOURCE Delegation of the European Commission to the U.S.