BRUSSELS, July 4: The European Commission urged the United States on Friday to avoid applying the death penalty to six foreign captives designated by President George Bush to be tried before US military commissions.

The 15-nation bloc is a fierce opponent of capital punishment and the EU’s executive commission said use of the death penalty could undermine international support for the so-called US-led war on terrorism.

“The death sentence cannot be applied by military courts as this would make the international coalition lose the integrity and credibility it has so far enjoyed,” said spokesman Diego de Ojeda, recalling comments by external relations chief Chris Patten.

“Our position clearly remains that the fight against terrorism should not give rise to a violation of human rights,” de Ojeda told a news conference.—Reuters