Death penalty
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Central Europe
German Baptist Church wants death penalty for gay people
The German Baptist Church in Pforzheim has been the centre of controversy since it was discovered that they believe that gay people deserve the death penalty. Other churches distance themselves from the statements and call for criminal charges. “We believe that homosexuality is a sin and a shame that God…
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Belarus introduces death penalty for treason
Anyone found guilty of treason risks being executed. That is the aim of a Belarussian bill that survived the first House of Representatives reading on Wednesday. If the proposal comes into force, any official or soldier can be executed if the judge finds him or her guilty of treason. The…
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Southern Europe
Pope: Death penalty is a bridge too far
Pope Francis is mobilising “all people of good will” against the death penalty. He did so in his September prayer intention on Wednesday. The head of Vatican City called took an explicit stance against the capital punishment. This attacks the inviolability and dignity of the human person, the Pope argued…
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Eastern Europe
Belarus introduces death punishment for “attempted terrorism”
President Lukashenko of Belarus signed a new law on the death penalty in case of terrorism on Wednesday. Several opposition activists face these charges. In the former Soviet republic, opposition activities are often seen as terrorism. The Parliament of Belarus already approved a bill on May 4 to amend the…