Resolution on the question of the death penalty and the establishment of an universal moratorium on capital executions

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the abolition of the death penalty;

A. recalling the 1994 resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on the establishment of an universal moratorium on the death penalty, rejected by only 8 votes;

B. recalling the 1997 resolution of the UN Commission on Human Rights (E/CN.4/1998/L.20) considering that "abolition of the death penalty contributes to the enhancement of human dignity and to the progressive development of human rights";

C. recalling the resolution of the UN Commission on Human Rights of April the 3rd, 1998, (E/CN.4/1998/L.12) which requests the establishment of an universal moratorium on capital executions;

D. welcoming the latest report of the United Nations Secretary General informing on changes and positive developments in law and practice concerning the death penalty world-wide (E/CN.4/1998/82);

E. welcoming the fact that several countries, while still keeping the death penalty in their legislation, are applying a de facto moratorium on executions;

1. Calls on the Member States to undertake all necessary steps in order that the question of the death penalty is included in the agenda of the next session of United Nations General Assembly;

2. Requests the Council to give mandate to the Austrian Presidency to co-ordinate the initiatives of the EU Member States concerning the inscription of the question of an universal moratorium on executions on the agenda of the next United Nations General Assembly;

3. Calls on the Council, the Member States and the Commission, acting within its remit, to table at the next United Nations General Assembly a resolution for the introduction of an universal moratorium on capital executions;

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the Member States, the Secretary General of the United Nations and the President of its next General Assembly.