In a statement published on 14 May, the EU criticised expiry of the moratorium on executions of the US death penalty. The execution of William Lynd on 6 May this year in the State of Georgia put an end to this de facto moratorium applied throughout the United States, while the United States Supreme Court examined the “Baze” case on the legality of lethal injections (Court ruling of 16 April 2008 stipulates that injections may continue to be used). On 2 May, the EU called on the relevant authorities of the State of Georgia to spare Mr Lynd's life. “Most regrettably, clemency appeals in the case of Mr Lynd were denied”, the EU states in its declaration, recalling its strict opposition to the death penalty. (H.B.)