Motion for a resolution - B5-0443/2003Motion for a resolution
B5-0443/2003

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

21 October 2003

further to the Council and Commission statements
pursuant to Rule 37(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Ole Andreasen
on behalf of the ELDR Group
on the initiative for a universal moratorium on the death penalty in the UN

See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B5-0441/2003

Procedure : 2003/2571(RSP)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
B5-0443/2003
Texts tabled :
B5-0443/2003
Debates :
Votes :
Texts adopted :

B5‑0443/2003

European Parliament resolution on the initiative for a universal moratorium on the death penalty in the UN

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to its previous resolutions on the death penalty in the world and most particularly its resolution of 5 July 2001,

–  having regard to resolution 2003/67, adopted by the UN Commission on Human Rights during its 61st meeting on 24 April 2003,

–  having regard to the European Commission Communication of 8 May 2001 on the EU's role in promoting human rights and democratisation, which identifies the abolition of the death penalty as one of the thematic priorities for assistance under the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR),

–  having regard to the EU guidelines on the death penalty adopted by the Council on 6 June 1998,

–  having regard to Article 2 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights,

A.  whereas on 13 October 2003 the Italian Presidency of the EU declared that it would continue to work towards 'getting the necessary consensus to present to the UN a proposal for a resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty',

B.  whereas the UN Commission on Human Rights is welcoming further regional initiatives aimed at the establishment of a moratorium on executions and the abolition of the death penalty,

C.  whereas, according to Amnesty International's latest information, 112 countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice and 83 other countries retain and use the death penalty,

1.  Strongly condemns the use of the death penalty, which currently continues to be applied in 83 countries;

2.  Calls on all states that still maintain the death penalty to abolish it completely and, in the meantime, to establish a moratorium on executions;

3.  Urges the Italian Presidency of the Council with the support of all 25 EU countries to reintroduce and this time bring to a vote in the United Nations General Assembly a resolution on a universal moratorium on executions and on the abolition of the death penalty and to take all steps necessary to obtain its adoption;

4.  Calls on the Commission and the Council to make full use of the items in the EU budget for the promotion of democracy and human rights, treating as a matter of priority and urgency any Community initiative aimed at achieving a moratorium on, and repeal of, the death penalty and giving practical support to all non-governmental organisations acting to this end;

5.  Calls on the Commission to present to Parliament regular reports on the implementation of all the resolutions so far adopted;

6.  Calls on the Council and the Commission to consider the abolition of the death penalty and a universal moratorium on executions as an essential element in relations between the EU and third countries, and to take this issue into account in concluding or renewing agreements with third countries;

7.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the UN Secretary-General and the Chairman of the UN Commission on Human Rights.