EU to make death penalty abolition its top priority

The European Union has told the United Nations Human Rights Commission that its priority for the coming year is to promote the abolition of the death penalty worldwide.

Spanish Foreign Minister Josep Pique told the body that the EU considers the death penalty to be "a type of punishment which is basically in contradiction with human dignity".

Mr Pique said that, in cases where a complete ban is not possible, the EU will seek a moratorium on the death penalty and urge that it not be applied to minors or the mentally handicapped.

The Spanish Foreign Minister also told the United Nations today that the US-led "war on terrorism"must respect the international rule of law.

"We cannot allow terrorism the victory of forcing us to forget our own principles and values by taking on its perverse logic," he said.

Pakistani Ambassador Munir Akram, speaking for the 57-nation Organisation of the Islamic Conference, said "certain forces" have taken advantage of the current anti-terrorist atmosphere by intensifying repression in Palestine, Kashmir and elsewhere.

"There must be a clear definition distinguishing terrorism from the legitimate struggles of peoples for their right to self-determination and against foreign occupation or alien and colonial domination," Mr Akram said.