French President Jacques Chirac speaking to the UN...

French President Jacques Chirac speaking to the UN Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, called for the universal abolition of the death penalty and a general moratorium on executions. "Death cannot under any circumstances constitute an act of justice," Chirac said. He criticised also the US administration. In a clear allusion to President George Bush's home state of Texas, he asked: "What can be said of the execution of minors or of persons suffering from mental deficiencies? I call for a worldwide abolition of the death penalty, the first step of which would be a general moratorium".