A la Une

28-02-2010 -
World Congress ends with words of hope

Powerful words by the speakers of the solemn ceremony that concluded the 4th World Congress Against the Death Penalty gave hope to the participants as they prepared to head home.

Mario Marazziti, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty:
“Let’s give the kids of the new generation a world without death penalty. The Death Penalty is sick and weakened. Well, it is good news. »

Shirin Ebadi, Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate:
“The road is long, but we won’t lose hope, considering the progress we have already made. I’m convinced that we are going to make our common dream come true very soon.”

Sister Helen Prejean, leading US abolitionist:
“We must tell these stories, raise awareness among people. Let’s keep this flame alive after we leave here, let’s unite in our various projects.”

Message from Mongolian President Elbegdorj Tsakhia:
“As the Head of State of Mongolia, I would like to express that I have a zero intention to retreat from the course I started because this is a right, pure and just goal.”
Download the message from President Elbegdorj

Antoinette Chahine, former Lebanese death row inmate:
“I’m here to speak out against the death penalty. Every letter I received was like a positive ray of light during my time on death row. Yes to life, no to the death penalty !”

Robert Badinter, French senator:
“Speaking out against the death penalty is a moral obligation, a permanent duty. As long as human beings are hanged, gassed, poisoned and shot in this cruel world, we must know no rest. This is a crucial requirement. It is up to you, abolitionist activists, the salt of the Earth, to save lives.”

Read the Final Declaration of the World Congress