AN APPEAL FOR A WORLDWIDE MORATORIUM
OF THE DEATH PENALTY 

We the undersigned, are convinced that the death penalty:

• Is the denial of the right to life, which is universally recognized

• Is the final, cruel, inhumane and degrading punishment, no less horrible than torture

• Is inadeguate to stop violence, it actually legitimizes the most complete violence which cuts off human life by the state and society

• Dehumanizes our world by putting vengeance and reprisal first, it eliminates clemency, forgiveness and rehabilitation by the justice system

We invite all,
even those who support the use of the death penalty,
to reflect in a serene way on the need
for the suspension of executions

In fact:

• Today more than half of the countries of the world do not use the death penalty; some have abolished it completely, while others do not apply it

• The United Nations recognizes that there is no data that can demonstrate that its use is an effective deterrent against even the most hideous crimes

• In those places where the death penalty has been reintroduced capital crimes have not been reduced

• There are effective alternative methods to protect society from those who commit the most horrible crimes

• The cruel logic of "a life for a life" is considered to be archaic and is unacceptable to many on the planet

• Almost everywhere the judiciary system is trying to find ways to do away with this inhumane way of dealing with people who committed crimes, even the most horribles ones

• In democratic countries, the cost of the death penalty is higher than life imprisonment

FOR THESE REASONS WE BESEECH ALL GOVERNMENTS
OF THE WORLD TO OBSERVE A MORATORIUM
ON THE DEATH PENALTY 

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