In a resolution, members of the European Parliament said the abolition of the death penalty "contributed to the enhancement of human dignity."
Lawmakers from the 27-member bloc also said the death penalty, which is banned in Europe, was a "a cruel and inhuman punishment" with no deterring effect.
The resolution calls on Germany, the current EU president, to push for a UN resolution banning the death penalty.
On a visit to the EU's headquarters on January 24, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "encouraging the trend to phase out the death penalty."
(dpa)
