ITALY: NATIONAL ALLIANCE MOTION FOR A UN MORATORIUM ON EXECUTIONS

The motion commits the government to “work in such a way so as to assure that the resolution for a moratorium is backed and co-sponsored by countries from all continents, other than those appertaining to the European Union”.
Moreover, AN’s motion has the purpose of asking the executive to “immediately put into place initiatives, both at bilateral and multilateral levels, towards countries which could co-sponsor, vote in favour or at least abstain from the moratorium resolution and which could decide to not give support to the counter manoeuvres put forward by retentionist states with the purpose of sabotaging the Italian initiative”.
AN’s demands follow the July 2 declaration when, presenting Italy’s agenda for its EU Presidency term to the European Parliament, Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi pledged to present the resolution for a worldwide moratorium on executions at the upcoming UN General Assembly.
A similar pledge had already been expressed on behalf of the government by Vice-Premier Gianfranco Fini on May 6, during a meeting with former Illinois governor George Ryan.
Also on Wednesday, deputy speaker Alfredo Biondi, started a signature collection amongst parliamentarians for a motion which would bind the government on working towards a universal moratorium on executions.