Catherine Ashton, the European Union's high representative

Catherine Ashton, the European Union's high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, has "strongly" condemned the executions of Aleh Hryshkawtsow and Andrey Burdyka. "I am aware of the terrible crime that these two men committed, and my thoughts are with the victims and their families," said Ms. Ashton in a statement on July 22. "Nevertheless, the European Union opposes the use of capital punishment under all circumstances, and calls on Belarus to join a global moratorium as a first step towards its universal abolition," she said.