On 18 June 2018, Mr Theerasak Longji was executed by lethal injection in Thailand.


The country would, next year, have marked a decade since the last
execution and therefore joined the list of countries with a de facto
moratorium on the use of the death penalty. This is what the European
Union expected, given its discussions with the Thai authorities. Against
this background, Mr Theerasak's execution represents a clear step
backwards.


The European Union is opposed to the death penalty under all
circumstances and aims at its universal abolition. The death penalty is a
cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent and
represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity and integrity.


The European Union calls on the Government of Thailand to refrain
from any future executions, and work towards a moratorium and the
eventual abolishing of the death penalty.