Martin calls for worldwide ban on death penalty

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has reaffirmed Ireland's long-standing opposition to the death penalty.

Tomorrow is the eighth 'World and European Day against the Death Penalty'.

Nearly 10 years ago, Irish people voted in a referendum to abolish its use fully and formally.

Minister Micheál Martin said it was a "cruel and inhuman form of punishment that violates the most basic and inalienable human rights".

He has called on all States using the death penalty to adopt a moratorium as called for by the UN General Assembly.