Historical Triumph for the defence of human rights worldwide against State sanctioned killing
With today’s vote, the United Nations has marked a point of no-return in the multi-decade campaign to end State-imposed vengeance. This represents a victory for a broad community of countries from all continents, which marks a significant shift in the way in which the United Nations deals with human rights issues.
No Peace Without Justice congratulates the Government of Italy and many non-governmental organizations have been at the forefront of this effort for many years. No Peace Without Justice is proud to have worked alongside the Nonviolent Radical Party, Transnational and Transparty and Hands Off Cain , and in particular alongside Marco Pannella and Emma Bonino, who have been campaigning for a universal moratorium on the death penalty 14 years together with thousands of activists towards this goal. The UNGA Third Committee vote is a milestone towards a Universal Moratorium and a success for nonviolent action which was undertaken in the last year and a half and that has been essential to defeat the mixed grouping of doubters and naysayers that have obstructed progress, often hiding behind an abolitionist banner.
The adoption of the Resolution on the Moratorium by the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly is an essential first step towards the affirmation of the universal right not to be executed in the name of the State. In December 2007, NPWJ looks forward to the plenary of the United Nations General Assembly will be called to ratify today’s historic result.
