26/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - EU calls for moratorium on death penalty. In response to the execution by hanging of Patrick Gabaakanye, confirmed on Wednesday 25 May in Gaborone, the European Union called on the Botswana authorities that day to reinstate a moratorium on executions, "as a first step towards the universal abolition of the death penalty". In a press release published by the spokesperson for the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, the EU reaffirmed its opposition to the use of capital punishment, "which can never be justified". The press release also explained that "The European Union believes that the death penalty is a cruel and inhumane punishment and has consistently called for its universal abolition. Experience worldwide has demonstrated that the death penalty fails to act as a deterrent to crime". Patrick Gabaakanye was sentenced to death in 2014 for murder. (AN)