Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Friday reaffirmed the EU’s unequivocal opposition to the death penalty in all cases and under all circumstances.
“More than two-thirds of countries worldwide have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice, showing that justice and human dignity can prevail," he said while speaking at a photo exhibition.
Evidence shows that the application of the death penalty does not act as a deterrent to crime, said Ambassador Miller, observing that it can risk, however, the execution of innocent people, as this exhibition well illustrates.
The Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Embassy of France in Dhaka and Drik Picture Library, hosted the thought-provoking photo exhibition titled ‘Living on Death Row: How People and Families in Bangladesh Cope with Long-term Solitary Confinement’ to mark the European and World Day Against the Death Penalty.
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam, among others, spoke at the event.
The exhibition, featuring the work of Bangladeshi documentary photographer, Mosfiqur Rahman Johan, sheds light on the human stories behind the death penalty — exploring the profound psychological, social, and emotional impact of long-term solitary confinement on prisoners and their families.
It highlighted how wrongful convictions and inadequate access to justice continue to affect lives across Bangladesh, offering a deeply personal perspective on a global human rights issue.
The European Union and its member states, including France, have long been at the forefront of the global movement to abolish the death penalty.
Newly appointed French Ambassador to Bangladesh Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet recalled that France is at the forefront of the fight for the universal abolition of the death penalty.
“We remain committed to ensuring that justice repairs lives and does not destroy them. France will be the host of the next ‘World Congress Against the Death Penalty’, which will take place in Paris in July next year," said the French Ambassador.
"This very day, a national ceremony takes place in Paris to honour the memory of Robert Badinter, the former minister of justice who, in 1981, was instrumental in the abolition of the death penalty in France. His remains are transferred today to the Panthéon, a monument where the greatest men and women of France rest in peace," he added.
Through diplomatic engagement, development cooperation, and cultural initiatives, the EU continues to advocate for a justice system that upholds human rights and respects human dignity.
The exhibition forms part of the EU’s broader commitment to supporting human rights and criminal justice reform in Bangladesh.
By focusing on the lived experiences of those wrongfully convicted, it seeks to open dialogue on fairness, compassion, and the role of justice in protecting the most fundamental of all rights — the right to life.
The exhibition will remain open to visitors till 19 October 2025, everyday 3-8pm at Drik Gallery, Dhaka, offering an important space for reflection and discussion on the human cost of capital punishment and the need for reform.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
