Summary: 15 November 2007, Brussels - The EU Presidency warmly welcomes today's adoption of a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. This resolution was tabled by cross-regional group led by Albania, Angola, Brazil, Croatia, Gabon, México, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal on behalf of the European Union, Timor Leste, with 87 co-sponsors.
This is a historical moment: it is the first time that a resolution on a moratorium on the use of the death penalty is approved by the Third Committee of the General Assembly and it is the result of a comprehensive and in-depth consultation process with all UN Member States by a cross-regional group of States.
The EU Presidency believes that this cross regional initiative has started a process of dialogue and engagement at the level of the General Assembly on an issue of fundamental importance for the enhancement and progressive development of human rights which is the issue of a moratorium on the use of the death penalty. The European Union has in this respect a long standing position on the question of the death penalty.
It has been a pleasure and an honour for the European Union to work in a truly cross-regional group on this initiative, which we believe is a landmark in the promotion and protection of human rights.
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UN Resolution on a Moratorium on the use of the Death Penalty