The EU expressed concern over death sentences given...

The EU expressed concern over death sentences given to 88 people in Nyala in the Darfour region of Sudan. In a joint statement issued in Brussels, the EU called on Khartoum to "immediately issue clemency" to the convicts in order to "commute" their sentences. The EU encouraged the government to abolish the death penalty, saying such a move would contribute to human dignity and the development of human rights in the country. The EU said it questioned the validity of the procedures used during the trial in view of the large number of people sentenced to death. The statement also said that the EU was "strongly" opposed to the death sentences given to two minors aged 14, adding that such penalties should not be applied to people under 18.