The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:
"Today, on World Day Against the Death Penalty, Canada restates its strong opposition to the use of the death penalty in all cases, everywhere. Capital punishment is a cruel, inhumane and degrading affront to human rights, as well as an ineffective deterrent to crime.
"The worldwide trend to abandon capital punishment is encouraging. In particular, Canada welcomes Kazakhstan's recent step toward abolition, and we will continue to work toward an end to the death penalty among the countries that still apply it.
"To that end, I am pleased to announce Canada's intention to join the Support Group of the International Commission against the Death Penalty, a diverse group of 23 countries led by Spain. Together with these and other members of the international community, we oppose the death penalty at every step of the way."
