UN's Third Commission passes resolution condemning capital punishment

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Saturday, November 17, 2007

UN Headquarters in New York.

Yesterday, the United Nations General Assembly's Third Commission passed resolution L29 against capital punishment; the project was presented by New Zealand and Brazil, and was defended vigorously by Italy. With 99 votes in favor, 52 against and 33 abstentions, the necessary majority was met, needed in order to pass the resolution.

Italy had proposed a resolution against capital punishments several times – in 1994, 1999, and in 2003 – but had been denied in all cases. Massimo D'Alema, Italian Minister of State and Vicepresident of the Council, did not hold and expressed his content towards the result:

The Third Commission's vote constitutes a decisive step towards the definitive adoption of the resolution by the Plenary General Assembly, that would have to happen by the month of December. Italy confirms to be at the forefront regarding protection of human rights. The fight against capital punishment at an international level is one of the priorities in foreign policy, that attracts the government, institutions, political-parliamentary forces, and non-governmental organizations in a campaign [...] and we are convinced that it has produced a first relevant result.

Sources

• "Pena di morte, sì dell'Onu a moratoria". La Stampa, November 15, 2007 ((Italian))
• "Voto storico all'Onu, la commissione: sì alla moratoria della pena di morte". Corriere della Sera, November 15, 2007 ((Italian))
• "Pena di morte, primo sì dell'Onu alla moratoria [...]". La Repubblica, November 15, 2007 ((Italian))
  

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