Pfizer Praised for Its Decision to Restrict Lethal Injection Drug Sale

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad Al Hussein praised the US drug manufacturer Pfizer's decision to restrict sales of drugs used in lethal injections, according to a statement released by his office on Thursday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — He pointed out that the UN "opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances." 

We welcome @Pfizer's decision to bar use of its drugs for executions. The death penalty has no place in the 21st c. https://t.co/ocHNvtKRkq

— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) 19 May 2016

​“Businesses, across many industries, can help prevent human rights violations from occurring. It is heartening to see companies playing an active role in furthering the trend towards ending use of the death penalty,” the high commissioner said.

Last week, Pfizer announced sales restriction on seven drugs used in lethal injections. The resale of these drugs will also be restricted, and government agencies will be required to confirm that they will not use them to carry out executions.