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Sep 25 2009

Side-event on “Debating the death penalty – experiences from different regions”

Gunilla Carlsson death penalty debate. Photo: Preston Merchant

The Swedish Presidency of the European Union in cooperation with Chile, the Republic of the Philippines, Rwanda and Amnesty International today hosted an inter-regional panel discussion during the United Nations General Assembly on "Debating the death penalty - experiences from different regions".

In 2007, as a result of a cross-regional initiative the General Assembly adopted a resolution on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. The text focused on a moratorium as a first step towards abolition. The resolution was reiterated during the 63rd session of the General Assembly and it was decided to make the resolution a biennial initiative.

Today’s event aimed at keeping momentum on the issue and to build bridges ahead of the discussions in the General Assembly next fall.

A distinguished panel shared their views and experiences from national debates on the death penalty. The purpose of the event was to learn about the experience in countries and regions where the death penalty has recently been abolished, or where abolition is presently considered.

The participation at the event was cross-regional, at both expert and ministerial level.

H.E. Ms. Gunilla Carlsson, Minister for International Development Cooperation of Sweden, represented the European experience and highlighted the importance of the General Assembly Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty.

H.E. Dr. Alberto G. Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, told of the decision to enact a moratorium in the Philippines in 2001, and the process towards full abolition in 2006. He also reflected the strongly held belief in the Philippines, which is majority Catholic, that abolition is a question of the dignity of human life.

Mr Joseph Kabakeza, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Rwanda, spoke of the internal debate that followed the genocide in 1994. He emphasized that the Rwandan abolition of the death penalty in 2007 served as a prerequisite for reconciliation.

H.E. Ambassador MS. Carmen Hertz, Director of Human Rights of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, stated that Chile – which abolished the death penalty for ordinary crimes in 2001 – is in the progress to become abolitionist for all crimes. Hertz further emphasized that the Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty was not a European initiative but rather a result of inter-regional cooperation .

Commissioner Ms. Catherine Dupe Atoki, African Commission on Human and Peoples' rights, spoke of the work being carried out by the African Commission and presented examples of countries in the region who are taking action towards the abolition of the death penalty.

> Read the EU statement delivered by Gunilla Carlsson

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