UN – World Day Against the Death Penalty (October 10, 2023)

On this 21st World Day Against the Death Penalty, France reiterates its steadfast opposition to the death penalty everywhere and in all circumstances.

It hails the movement in support of the death penalty’s universal abolition, which four new countries joined this year. The adoption of the UN General Assembly resolution calling for a universal moratorium on the death penalty by an historic 125 nations in December 2022 is a step forward in this regard.

France deplores the fact that several nations continue to apply this cruel, unjust and inhumane punishment and calls on them to place it under a moratorium ahead of its ultimate abolition. It calls on all nations to sign and ratify the second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aimed at abolishing the death penalty.

On this 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, France remains more committed than ever to opposing the death penalty.

Myanmar – France condemns the airstrike on an internally displaced persons camp in Laiza (October 10, 2023)

France strongly condemns yesterday’s airstrike on an internally displaced persons camp in Laiza, located in Myanmar’s Kachin State, which left several dozen dead and wounded. This massacre of civilians is further evidence of the Myanmar security forces’ total contempt for international humanitarian law.

France reiterates its calls for the full implementation of UN Security Council resolution 2669, which provides for an end to the violence, the release of all political prisoners and the establishment of a dialogue among all stakeholders. France reaffirms its support for ASEAN’s efforts to resolve the crisis through the Five-Point Consensus. Along with its European partners, France is continuing its sanctions policy against the regime, which seized power through a coup d’état, and its humanitarian aid to the people of Myanmar, who are the victims of the junta’s abuses.

Q&A

Can you please review the situation of the French nationals who are presumed missing in Israel following the attacks? Yesterday the Quai d’Orsay deplored the death of two of our fellow citizens, and you had no news of the 14 others whose situation was considered very alarming. Do you have any further information?

Please consult today’s communique on this subject.

Of the 14 French citizens who are missing, you mentioned a 12-year-old child. He was identified by his family as Eitan, age 12 ½, living on Kibbutz Nir Oz, and Hamas carried him off on a motorcycle on Saturday. Have you been able to confirm the details of his abduction?

We do not provide any information on people’s identities.