20 June, 2003

The Acting Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UN, Mr. George Kasoulides, withdrew today the reservation deposited with the Secretary General of the UN concerning the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (15 December, 1989) reserving the right to apply the Death Penalty in times of war pursuant to a conviction of a most serious crime of a military nature committed during wartime.  

During a brief ceremony at the Treaty Section of the UN, Mr. George Kasoulides expressed the satisfaction of the Cyprus Government which although having not employed the death penalty during its 43 years as a Republic, is now in full conformity with its international obligations and the acquis communautaire of European Union.

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