European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Michael Miller on Friday reaffirmed the EU’s firm and unwavering opposition to the death penalty in every circumstance, calling it a violation of human dignity and a failed tool of justice.
Speaking at a photo exhibition in Dhaka, Miller said that more than two-thirds of the world’s nations have already abolished capital punishment either by law or in practice.
“This global shift demonstrates that justice and human dignity can prevail without resorting to execution,” he said.
He noted that studies have repeatedly shown the death penalty does not deter crime but instead carries the grave risk of executing innocent individuals. “This exhibition is a reminder of that reality,” he added.
The exhibition, titled “Living on Death Row: How People and Families in Bangladesh Cope with Long-term Solitary Confinement,” was jointly organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, the Embassy of France in Dhaka, and Drik Picture Library.
Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam was present as a special guest at the event, which featured the work of Bangladeshi documentary photographer Mosfiqur Rahman Johan.
The exhibition captures the emotional and psychological toll of life on death row, highlighting the suffering of prisoners and their families who endure years of uncertainty and isolation.
Through powerful images and personal stories, the exhibition reveals how inadequate legal aid and wrongful convictions continue to impact many lives in Bangladesh, while calling for a justice system rooted in fairness and compassion.
French Ambassador Jean-Marc Séré-Charlet, who recently assumed his duties in Dhaka, reiterated France’s historic commitment to the global abolition of the death penalty.
“France stands at the forefront of this cause. We are dedicated to ensuring justice restores lives rather than destroys them,” he said.
The EU delegation said the exhibition is part of its broader human rights initiatives in Bangladesh, which aim to foster dialogue on criminal justice reform and promote respect for the right to life.
“Through development cooperation, diplomacy, and cultural engagement, we continue to stand for a justice system that values human life above all else,” Miller added.
The exhibition will remain open to visitors at Drik Gallery in Dhaka every day from 3pm to 8pm until 19 October, 2025, providing a space for reflection on the human cost of capital punishment and the global movement for its abolition.
