Brussels, 30/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 29 October, the European Union condemned the executions of two Tibetans, Lobsang Gyaltsen and Loyak, for their involvement in riots that cost a number of lives in Tibet last year. The statement by the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the EU states that, on the basis of its principled opposition to the death penalty, the EU had, on 8 May 2009, called for the death penalties handed down by the Lhassa Intermediate People's Court to several Tibetans, including Lobsan Gyaltsen and Loyak, after the Lhasa riots in March 2008 to be commuted.
The EU respects China's right to bring those responsible for the violence to justice, but it repeats its longstanding opposition to capital punishment, under all circumstances. It notes, too, that, in the event of the death penalty being maintained, internationally recognised minimum standards must be met. The EU reiterates its concerns over the conditions under which the trials were conducted, especially with regard to whether due process and other safeguards for a fair trial were respected (L.C./transl.rt)