Europe is marking its first anti-death penalty day, despite moves from Poland to block the event, calling for it also to condemn abortion and euthanasia.
The day was taken over by the Council of Europe, a human rights body, after Poland's veto threatened to derail an EU-sponsored event.
The event is being held in conjunction with a global anti-death penalty day. Capital punishment is banned in all 27 EU states but Poland's president called on the EU to reintroduce it last year.
Poland, Ireland and Malta are the only EU member states where abortion is illegal.
Contrary view
Last month, Poland was the only member state to oppose an EU-sponsored European Day Against the Death Penalty, with Deputy Justice Minister Andrzej Duda saying the EU "should approach the subject in a broader way and debate the protection of life."
