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EU anti-death penalty day vetoed | EU anti-death penalty day vetoed |
(about 10 hours later) | |
Poland has blocked plans to hold a European day against the death penalty, the EU's Portuguese presidency says. | Poland has blocked plans to hold a European day against the death penalty, the EU's Portuguese presidency says. |
It says Warsaw rejected the idea at a meeting of ministers in Brussels, arguing that any such event should also condemn abortion and euthanasia. | It says Warsaw rejected the idea at a meeting of ministers in Brussels, arguing that any such event should also condemn abortion and euthanasia. |
The EU, where the capital punishment is outlawed, had planned to mark the anti-death penalty day on 10 October. | The EU, where the capital punishment is outlawed, had planned to mark the anti-death penalty day on 10 October. |
Poland's conservative government has in the past called for a re-opening of the debate on capital punishment. | Poland's conservative government has in the past called for a re-opening of the debate on capital punishment. |
The European Commission said a conference scheduled to launch the EU day against the death penalty would still go ahead on 9 October. | The European Commission said a conference scheduled to launch the EU day against the death penalty would still go ahead on 9 October. |
But with Poland digging in its heels, delegates may find the debate is livelier than they had expected, the BBC's Alix Kroeger in Brussels says. | But with Poland digging in its heels, delegates may find the debate is livelier than they had expected, the BBC's Alix Kroeger in Brussels says. |
'Broader approach' | 'Broader approach' |
"Unfortunately, it was not possible to find a consensus among all the 27 [EU] member states," Portuguese Justice Minister Alberto Costa told reporters after the Brussels meeting of EU justice and interior ministers. | "Unfortunately, it was not possible to find a consensus among all the 27 [EU] member states," Portuguese Justice Minister Alberto Costa told reporters after the Brussels meeting of EU justice and interior ministers. |
They [the Poles] accuse the EU of promoting 'abortion, destructive lifestyles and euthanasia' Mark Mardell, BBC Europe editor Mardell's Euroblog | |
EU officials also confirmed that Warsaw alone objected to the move. | EU officials also confirmed that Warsaw alone objected to the move. |
Polish Deputy Justice Minister Andrzej Duda said that the EU "should approach the subject in a broader way and debate the protection of life". | Polish Deputy Justice Minister Andrzej Duda said that the EU "should approach the subject in a broader way and debate the protection of life". |
"The death penalty is only one element of the debate; there are more - for example, abortion and euthanasia," he said. | "The death penalty is only one element of the debate; there are more - for example, abortion and euthanasia," he said. |
This is the latest in a series of political clashes between Brussels and Warsaw, on everything from homosexuality to environmental protection, our correspondent says. | This is the latest in a series of political clashes between Brussels and Warsaw, on everything from homosexuality to environmental protection, our correspondent says. |
She says that Poland's junior coalition partner, the ultra-conservative League of Polish Families, wants to bring back the death penalty for paedophiles. | She says that Poland's junior coalition partner, the ultra-conservative League of Polish Families, wants to bring back the death penalty for paedophiles. |
Polish President Lech Kaczynski last year called on EU member states to reintroduce the death penalty. | Polish President Lech Kaczynski last year called on EU member states to reintroduce the death penalty. |
Poland, along with Ireland and Malta, are the only members where abortion is illegal. | Poland, along with Ireland and Malta, are the only members where abortion is illegal. |
Poland's Roman Catholic clergy and politicians have described the practice of euthanasia in countries such as the Netherlands as a "culture of death". | Poland's Roman Catholic clergy and politicians have described the practice of euthanasia in countries such as the Netherlands as a "culture of death". |
The latest row comes as Poland prepares for early general elections on 21 October. | The latest row comes as Poland prepares for early general elections on 21 October. |
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