1. Torture is an abhorrent violation of human rights, human integrity and human
dignity that runs counter to the principle of human security that the OSCE
concept of comprehensive security is founded upon.
2. Our OSCE commitments and international obligations are clear: The prohibition of torture is absolute and unconditional. Nonetheless, the use of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment continues.
3. Russia’s continued unprovoked, unjustifiable and illegal war of aggression
against Ukraine has had devastating humanitarian and human rights
consequences. The latest Moscow Mechanism and ODIHR monitoring in
Ukraine has detailed Russia’s widespread and systematic use of torture,
including against Ukrainian civilian detainees. Similar patterns were
documented in previous reports1 including “summary executions”, mock
executions and rape of civilian detainees by the Russian forces. The UN
Special Rapporteur on torture referred to Russia’s war of aggression as
becoming synonymous with torture.
4. All OSCE participating States have a commitment to prevent acts of torture,
prosecute perpetrators, identify victims, and ensure redress and reparation for
victims. We urge all participating states to adopt a holistic, victim-centered and
gender-responsive approach, paying special attention to the views and needs of victims and survivors and we stress the importance of documentation as the
basis for proper investigation and redress, as set out in the “Méndez Principles”.
5. The EU remains deeply alarmed by the reports of the use of torture against
political prisoners in Belarus under the guise of anti-extremist legislation, which
is vague and hence arbitrary. At least six political prisoners have lost their lives
in detention while others have life threatening conditions and require urgent
medical assistance. We deplore the application of the capital punishment,
including the widening of its scope for civil servants and army personnel
convicted of “high treason”.
6. The latest Moscow Mechanism report on Ukraine, “recorded cases of
extrajudicial killings of arbitrarily detained Ukrainian civilians”. We remain
deeply alarmed by these reports. The EU will continue to support all
accountability efforts, in the OSCE and beyond.
7. The EU opposes the death penalty in all cases and in all circumstances and
calls on those States that still carry out death sentences to introduce a
moratorium as a first step towards full abolition. The EU maintains the
worldwide abolition of the Death Penalty at the heart of its priorities and will
continue to insist on the upholding of international minimum standards where it
is still applied. The EU also recommends the United States the introduction of
a moratorium on executions as a first step towards full abolition.
8. According to the 2024 Annual Report of the UNSG António Guterres, to the
HRC, “[…] There is no conclusive evidence to support the theory that the death
penalty deters crime more effectively than any other punishment.” And it is,
tragically, irreversible should any miscarriage of justice occur.
9. The EU firmly believes that the rule of law and human rights must stay at the
heart of the fight against terrorism. We recommend all participating States to
review counter-terrorism laws and national security related policies, online and
offline, and reverse all measures that do not live up to OSCE and international
commitments and obligations. Finally, we reiterate our support for the global
Convention against Torture Initiative and its efforts to achieve global ratification
and implementation of the UN Convention against Torture by 2024.
The Candidate Countries NORTH MACEDONIA*, MONTENEGRO*, ALBANIA*,
UKRAINE, the REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA, and BOSNIA and HERZEGOVINA*, and the
EFTA countries ICELAND, LIECHTENSTEIN and NORWAY, members of the European Economic Area, as well as ANDORRA and SAN MARINO align themselves with this statement.
* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process