Resolution on India, in particular the death sentence on Davinder Pal Singh

The European Parliament adopted by 55 votes to 0 with 5 abstentions a resolution on n India, in particular the death sentence on Davinder Pal Singh.

The resolution had been tabled by the Greens/EFA, EPP, S&D, ECR, GUE/NGL and ALDE groups.

Parliament notes that whilst India has not implemented the death penalty since 2004, clearance has been given for the execution of two convicts. On the recommendation of the Union Home Ministry, the President of India, Pratibha Patil, has rejected the review petit ions filed under Article 72 of the Indian Constitution on behalf of Mahendra Nath Das, of Assam and Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar of Punjab. The latter was sentenced to death on 29 August 2001 after being found guilty of involvement in the 1993 bombing of the Youth Congress Office in New Delhi. Parliament expresses grave concern that the Government of India may revive the application of the death penalty after a seven-year de facto moratorium, thereby bucking the worldwide trend towards the abolition of capital punishment. It reiterates its firm support for the UN General Assembly's call to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.

Members urgently appeal to the Government of India not to execute Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar or Mahendra Nath Das, and to commute their death sentences, and they call on the Indian authorities to deal with these two cases in a particularly transparent manner, and they also note that the circumstances surrounding the return of Davinder Pal Singh Bhullar to India from Germany and his prolonged stay on death row raise questions.

Lastly, Parliament calls on the Government and Parliament of India to adopt legislation introducing a permanent moratorium on executions with the goal of abolishing the death penalty in the near future.