Turkey Abolished the Death Penalty

Council of Europe Secretary General Walter Schwimmer has warmly welcomed the preliminary vote taken in the Turkish Parliament to abolish the death penalty in peacetime.

"The confirmation of this vote would be a major step forward for human rights in Turkey" said Schwimmer, speaking on behalf of the 44-nation Organization.

"I encourage members of the Turkish Parliament to confirm this decision in their final vote. Such an endorsement would send a clear message that their country is committed to closer integration within the family of European democracies and would represent a great victory for the humane values for which the Council of Europe stands". (NM)