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Resolution on a universal moratorium on the death penalty

2007/2629(RSP)

Following the debate which took place during the sitting of 25th September 2007, the European Parliament adopted a joint resolution by 504 votes in favour, 45 against and 14 abstentions

and urged the EU Presidency and Member States to present a resolution on a moratorium on the death penalty at the 62nd United Nations General Assembly under the heading of 'human rights', in order for it to be adopted before the end of 2007.  The EU Presidency is called upon to involve as many countries as possible as co-sponsors of the resolution. Parliament reaffirmed that the main political content of the resolution must be the adoption of a worldwide moratorium as a crucial step towards the abolition of the death penalty.

Parliament also reiterated its full support for the establishment of a European Day against the death penalty on 10 October, calling on the future Polish government to fully support this initiative. It should be noted that the Council has been unable to reach a decision on the European Day against the death penalty, because the Polish government has been blocking it. The latter argues that any such day should also condemn abortion and euthanasia. Legislative elections are taking place in Poland on 21 October 2007. Parliament regretted the lack of unanimity in the Council on this issue and called on the future Polish Government to support fully this initiative that reflects the basic values of the EU.  It called on all institutions and Member States of the EU, together with the Council of Europe, to continue supporting this action and mandated its President to promote this political initiative.

The EU Presidency must encourage those remaining countries which have not signed and ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to do so, and those Member States that have not signed Protocol No 13 to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms on the death penalty to do so.

Lastly, Parliament called on the Council and the Commission to support the establishment of regional pro-moratorium and abolitionist coalitions.