Poland’s conservative Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has spoken positively about introducing the death penalty.
Morawiecki, who is a practicing Catholic, made the comment during a hearing on Facebook.
“In my opinion, the death penalty should be applicable to the most serious crimes,” he replied to a question, adding that he disagreed with the Roman Catholic Church’s position on the matter.
Poland abolished the death penalty in 1997 as part of reforms from its communist legacy and preparations to join the EU. In 2013, Poland signed the European Convention prohibiting executions.
According to Morawiecki, the abolition came too soon.
His statement has been criticized by the opposition and he also stands out as the only leader in the EU’s 27 member states who advocates the punishment.
John Stauffer, general counsel at Civil Rights Defenders, sharply criticizes the Prime Minister’s statement.
– It is very serious, he says.
In the player above: Hear the critique from John Stauffer.