ITALY. HOC PRESENTS 2004 REPORT ON THE DEATH PENALTY WORLDWIDE

The report is edited once again by Elisabetta Zamparutti and published in Italian by Marsilio.
This year’s publication is dedicated to the President of Zambia Levy Mwanawasa, who has also written the foreword to this edition.
A strongly abolitionist Baptist, President Mwanawasa has refused to sign any death warrants since he took office in 2001. As President of Zambia, he has also given a strong boost to the process of democratization in the country.
Present at the launch to represent President Mwanawasa will be Zambia’s Foreign Minister Kalombo Mwansa. HOC’s President Marco Pannella, General Secretary Sergio D’Elia and Report Editor Elisabetta Zamparutti will host the event. Speakers include Italian Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Alfredo Mantica, Senate Deputy Speaker Cesare Salvi, Senate Human Rights Commission President Enrico Pianetta and the President of the Montagnard Foundation Kok Ksor.
Various Italian Members of Parliament and Ambassadors to Italy will also attend the event.
The presentation of the 2004 report will also be a platform to relaunch HOC’s campaign for a worldwide moratorium on executions through a UN General Assembly resolution. HOC’s campaign is currently placing a special emphasis on Africa.
The launch will take place on Wednesday 23rd June 2004 at 10.45 CET in Via di Torre Argentina 76, Rome.