18/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - La Paz' accession to treaty aimed at abolishing death penalty is welcomed. On 17 July, the EU warmly welcomed Bolivia's official accession to the second optional protocol relating to the international treaty on civil and political rights, aimed at abolishing the death penalty. The EU trusts other countries will be encouraged to follow Bolivia's example, stressed the spokesman for EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton in a press release. Bolivia is the 77th state to join the treaty. The protocol should take effect on 12 October 2013. (CG/transl.jl)