On Wednesday, 8 January, Bahrain’s High Criminal Court of Appeal has upheld the verdict confirming the death sentences for Mohammed Ramadan and Hussain Al Moosa. This verdict, still subject to appeal before Bahrain’s Court of Cassation, was delivered despite reported concerns on the fairness of the trial.

The European Union calls upon the Bahraini authorities to halt the execution of the two individuals and ensure that their re-trial will be in accordance with international law and standards.

The death penalty violates the inalienable right to life enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. Capital punishment also fails to act as a deterrent to crime. Miscarriages of justice are irreversible.

The European Union is unequivocally opposed to the use of capital punishment in all circumstances and calls on the Kingdom of Bahrain to introduce a moratorium on executions as a first step towards abolition.