Two men were executed in Belarus last week, breaking Europe’s recent stretch as an execution free zone.
Human Rights group, Amnesty International called on the nation’s president to immediately cease and desist with the death penalty.
“No executions were reported in Belarus in 2009 and for the first time since Amnesty International began keeping records Europe was an execution-free zone last year,” Amnesty said in a statement.
“It is very disappointing that the Belarussian authorities have taken this step, against the tide of world opinion that is moving toward the abolition of the death penalty.” The men, who were both convicted of murder, were denied clemency and were not allowed to meet with their families prior to their executions.
