By IANS/AKI,
Rome : Italy has called for a halt to capital punishment to bolster human rights and dignity.
“We are strongly convinced that the abolition of the death penalty represents a crucial aim for the improvement of human dignity and the progressive affirmation of human rights around the world,” said Italy’s Foreign Minister Franco Frattini, in a statement on the occasion of World Day Against the Death Penalty.
“The death penalty does not offer any added security in terms of security for citizens and the deterrence against crime,” said Frattini, who serves as part of a conservative government led by Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Italy banned capital punishment and is a leading opponent of its use. The support of the Vatican, another strong opponent of the death sentence, may fuel Italy’s sense of moral mission.
Both the Italian political right and left have found a common cause in their opposition to capital punishment.
China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the US and Yemen are the countries that execute the highest numbers of people, according to human rights group Amnesty International.