the European Union hopes for complete abolition of the death penalty in Central Asia

the European Union hopes for complete abolition of the death penalty in Central Asia, the head of the European Commission's Delegation to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, Norbert Jousten, said. "The European Union hails the abolition of the death penalty in Kazakhstan," he said. In 2003 Kazakhstan introduced the moratorium on the death penalty, and in 2007 abolished capital punishment for all but exceptional crimes. He expressed hope that all Central Asian countries will follow that example. The EU encourages public debate, strengthening public opposition, and putting pressure on retentionist countries to abolish the death penalty, or at least introduce a moratorium as a first step, according to the press release.