24/07/2017 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 21 July, the spokesperson for the European External Action Service (EEAS) condemned the announcement in Belarus of two further death sentences, handed down by the Mahilyow regional court. “The European Union is strongly opposed to capital punishment and expects that the legal right to appeal for both convicts will be fully guaranteed. The continued application of the death penalty goes counter to Belarus' stated willingness to engage with the international community”, the spokesperson said. Belarus is the only country in Europe that still applies the death penalty. On the previous day, 20 July, the EU and Belarus held the 4th bilateral Human Rights Dialogue at which were debated subjects which included the freedoms of expression, assembly and association and the death penalty. (EH)