Germany urges EU export ban of US execution drug

Published November 17, 2014

Germany's human rights commissioner says the country is pushing for the European Union to ban the export of a lethal injection drug used in several U.S. states.

Markus Loening said Friday it has to be guaranteed that no drugs from Germany or the EU will be used to carry out executions.

He said that while export controls for the EU's 27 member nations were not agreed yet, he asked for sodium thiopental to be put on Germany's list of goods that need the government's consent before exportation.

Several U.S. states face supply shortages after the sole American producer ceased production of the drug that is used as part of a three-drug combination for lethal injections in 35 states. In Europe, it is used as an anesthetic.

Capital punishment is banned within the EU.

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https://www.foxnews.com/world/germany-urges-eu-export-ban-of-us-execution-drug