04/01/2017 (Agence Europe) – On Thursday 29 December, a spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) denounced a new death sentence handed down in Belarus, this time to Kiryl Kazachok for murdering his two children. "This sentence, which follows the execution of four persons earlier this year, goes against the commitments made by Belarus authorities to consider the introduction of a moratorium on the death penalty", the spokesperson stated. The European Union calls on Belarus, the only country in Europe still applying capital punishment, to join a global moratorium on the death penalty. Steps taken by Belarus to respect universal fundamental freedoms, rule of law and human rights, including on the death penalty, will remain key for the shaping of the EU's future policy towards Belarus, the EEAS spokesperson added. (CG)