MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Death penalty in Japan

The European Parliament,

– having regard to United Nations General Assembly Resolutions 62/149 of 18 December 2007 calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty and 63/168 of 18 December 2008 calling for the implementation of General Assembly Resolution 62/149,

–  having regard to Protocol No 6 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of 28 April 1983, concerning the abolition of the death penalty,

–  having regard to the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, seeking to bring about the abolition of the death penalty, of 15 December 1989,

- having regard to Rule 122 of its Rules of procedure,

A. whereas Japan retains capital punishment, but has not carried out executions since 2010;

B. whereas from 2000 to 2009, Japan sentenced at least 112 people to death and executed 46 and in July 2010, Japan's Minister and Justice witnessed the hangings of two inmates convicted of murder, saying she was carrying out her duties;

C. whereas in Japan inmates and their relatives and lawyers are kept in the dark about their fateful day until it arrives,

D. whereas the Japanese Minister of Justice indicated he may issue execution orders as the number of death-row inmates has grown to a post-war high of around 130;

1. Regrets the statements released by the Japan's Justice Minister on the issue of the resumption of executions in his country;

2. Reiterates its call on Japan to shed light on its system of capital punishment;

3. Calls on Japan to respect safeguards protecting the rights of those facing the death penalty, as laid down in the United Nations Economic and Social Council Safeguards;

4. Re-affirms its commitment to the fight against death penalty and calls on the Government and Parliament of Japan to move towards adopting a moratorium on capital punishment, as established by UN General Assembly resolution 62/149 of 18 December 2007;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, to the Government and Parliament of Japan and the UN Secretary General.