Our Videos

February 24, 10

NEWS / Senior UN official cites evidence of growing support for abolishing death penalty


24 February 2010 – There is evidence of growing global support for the eventual elimination of the death penalty, a senior United Nations official stated today, while acknowledging that abolishing this practice is a difficult and sensitive process for many societies.
Sergei A. Ordzhonikidze, Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva, told the Fourth World Congress against the Death Penalty, held at the Palais des Nations, that moving this process forward will require comprehensive and inclusive national debates.

“It is my hope that the discussions at this World Congress, which will highlight the practical experiences of countries that have either abolished the death penalty or instituted a moratorium, can help to stimulate such national debates.”

He added that the Congress, with its frank and inclusive debates, will serve to raise awareness – in all regions and among all States – of the trend towards abolition of the death penalty and will help consolidate support for this important trend.

“Governments, the United Nations, regional and other intergovernmental organizations and civil society need to be involved as partners in support of this process.”

In 2007, the General Assembly adopted resolution 62/149, which called on States that still maintain the death penalty to establish a moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.

The Assembly considered that the death penalty undermined human dignity, that there was no conclusive evidence of the deterrent value and that any miscarriage or failure of justice in the implementation was irreversible and irreparable.

Mr. Ordzhonikidze cited a number of initiatives that serve as evidence of a trend towards the ultimate abolition of the practice, including the large turnout at today’s meeting which “confirms this expanding global support for the eventual elimination of the death penalty.”

He also noted that the steady increase in ratifications, now numbering over 70 countries, of the Second Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – which aims to bring about the abolition of the death penalty – indicates the growing commitment to eliminating this practice.

“The introduction of moratoria also plays an important role in facilitating the process in States working towards eradication,” said the Director-General, adding that the steadily increasing number of States that have introduced such suspensions must also be welcomed and encouraged to entrench the trend towards elimination.

Some 2,000 participants, including national political leaders, activists and representatives of international organizations, have gathered in Geneva for the three-day Congress.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=33877&Cr=death+penalty&Cr1=

 




Testimonials

Niranjan Sujay
I recently used LOGOS INTERNATIONAL for the translation of my bachelor’s certificate, and I couldn’t...
Read More »
Katia Nagata

As a foreigner, I needed a certified translation, so I called the DOE to give me a list of the ce...
Read More »
AnnaMaria Realbuto
Thank you for all your assistance and efficiency...
Read More »
Kateryna Melnychenko
Thanks a lot Anton!...
Read More »




FAQ

Starting a Business
Read More »
Q: What about military and other U.S. government employees stationed abroad?
Read More »
Labor Day
Read More »
Who oversees or administers the liquidation in a chapter 7 case? What procedures apply?
Read More »






News

February 7, 25
Non-resident alien students incorrectly classified as US tax residents, receive unauthorized $1,400 stimulus payment
Read More »
February 3, 25
Cause of death of North Carolina woman “gunshot wound of head,” according to death certificate
Read More »
January 24, 25
Maryland lawmakers seek to allow third gender marker on birth certificates
Read More »
January 21, 25
US President Donald Trump scraps global corporate minimum tax deal
Read More »