In the wake of these executions in the United States, France stressed its strong committed to the universal abolition of this unjust, inhumane, ineffective punishment.

France calls on all nations that still apply the death penalty to place it under a moratorium ahead of its ultimate abolition.

Taylor, a 58-year-old African-American, was executed for quadruple murder he has always denied, while Balentine, African descent and 54, was given a lethal injection in Texas for being guilty of three crimes he admitted, although his lawyer condemned racial motivations in the sentence.

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