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December 19, 2007
GA calls for a moratorium on the death penalty
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In a nonbinding resolution, the UN General Assembly has called for a moratorium on the death penalty.
Among the countries joining the United States in opposition to the European-led measure were Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Sudan and Zimbabwe. Opponents argued that the resolution undermined their national sovereignty. Two similar moves in the 1990s failed, and Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the new vote was "evidence of a trend toward ultimately abolishing the death penalty."
Ban also said, "Today's vote represents a bold step by the international community...I am particularly encouraged by the support expressed for this initiative from many diverse regions of the world."
UPDATE: Louise Arbour, the United Nations high commissioner for human rights, explains her opposition to the death penalty in today's Los Angeles Times.