China: Statement by the Spokesperson on the sentencing of Mr Robert Schellenberg

Liaoning High People’s Court in China today confirmed the death penalty verdict in the case of Mr. Robert Schellenberg, a Canadian citizen convicted of drug trafficking offences.

The European Union is opposed to the death penalty under all circumstances. It is a cruel and inhumane punishment, which fails to act as a deterrent and represents an unacceptable denial of human dignity.

In this particular case, there are also concerns about due process and about arbitrariness. Mr Schellenberg’s sentence was increased in January 2019 after he appealed against the initial sentence of fifteen years’ imprisonment.

The European Union calls for clemency to be granted in the case of Mr Schellenberg.

The European Union also restates its commitment to the worldwide abolition of the death penalty, calls upon China to commute all the sentences to life imprisonments, and to introduce a moratorium as a first step towards abolition of death penalty.

Link to original post: China: Statement by the Spokesperson on the sentencing of Mr Robert Schellenberg - European External Action Service (europa.eu)