03/08/2011 (Agence Europe) - Execution of Robert Jackson. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, on Tuesday 2 August expressed her deep regret at the execution (on 29 July) of Mr Robert Jackson in the State of Delaware. The EU considers that nations which have not as yet abolished the death penalty “should not impose this punishment when a de-facto moratorium has been in place for an extended period”, said Lady Ashton. The execution of Mr Jackson has broken the de-facto moratorium that had been in place in Delaware since 4 November 2005. “The EU recognises that a terrible crime was at the heart of this case”, but stresses that it opposes the use of capital punishment in all cases and under all circumstances, and calls for a global moratorium as a first step towards its universal abolition (L.C./transl.fl)