THE UN COMMISSION SAYS YES TO THE MORATORIUM AND TO THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY

The initiative, promoted at the UN by Hands Off Cain since 1994, was taken up by the Italian government in 1997 at the UN Commission on Human Rights and has had the backing and support of the European Union since 1999. This year it was Greece, holders of the European Presidency, to present the abolitionist text.
The resolution approved today is of a more hard-line stance than in previous years and had the backing of a record 75 cosponsors. It is important to remember that this year has seen the support of the resolution by countries which only recently abolished the death penalty such as Turkey, Serbia and Montenegro, Ivory Coast and East Timor, confirming the positive abolitionist trend at international level. Also worthy of mention is the support given for the first time towards the abolitionist text in Geneva by the Seychelles, Palau, Guinea Bissau and Papua New Guinea.
All this notwithstanding the atmosphere of international tension tied to the war in Iraq, proving that the international Community is mature enough in affirming the right to interfere in humanitarian issues such as the death penalty.
Following 7 years of approval at the Commission on Human Rights with a record number of co-sponsors it is time for Italy to bring to a conclusion the campaign for a UN moratorium on capital executions with a solemn pronouncement by the UN General Assembly coinciding with the forthcoming Italian presidency of the EU.