Printable Version

EU Extends Export Controls to Goods Used for Capital Punishment or Torture

States that use capital punishment will have to look outside Europe for its anesthetics and electric shock cuffs. The European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union (EU), Dec. 20, 2011, extended its list of goods subject to export controls to include certain anesthetics, such as sodium thiopental, which can be used in lethal injections, as well as spike batons and electric shock cuffs and sleeves.

"I wish to underline that the European Union opposes the death penalty under all circumstances," said Catherine Ashton, High Representative for the Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission. "In this regard, the decision today contributes to the wider EU efforts to abolish death penalty worldwide. This is a first step in response to the calls of civil society organizations and the European Parliament to strengthen the EU legislation. It will be followed by a full review of the relevant regulation next year," she added.

Specifically, the EU amended Regulation (EC) No 1236/2005 concerning trade in certain goods which could be used for capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. With this decision, exports of short and medium acting barbiturate anesthetic agents are subject to prior authorization by national authorities; imports and exports of spiked batons are prohibited; and imports and exports of electric shock sleeves and cuffs are prohibited. Electric shock belts were already banned.

The lists of goods may be further amended in parallel, if other goods are identified as needing particular surveillance, the Commission noted.