Italy Lobbying For Support Against Death Penalty

By William Yaw Owusu

Saturday, 17 November 2007
THE Italian government is lobbying Ghana to back its campaign for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide.

It, therefore, called on Ghana’s Chief Justice, Georgina Wood on Wednesday to seek the support of the judiciary in that regard.

Italy, in January, embarked on a campaign at the United Nations for a global ban on the death penalty after the execution of former Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein.

Italy joined the United Nations Security Council on January 1, as a non-permanent member for a two-year term and plans to use the period to prepare a set of activities towards making the death penalty illegal.

A declaration to that effect has been signed by 85 countries.

It has already called on the General Assembly of the UN to re-examine a non-binding declaration against the death penalty.

At the meeting, which was also attended by the Judicial Secretary, Regina Apotsi, Ambassador De-Agostini said "I have come here to seek your support and ideas on the death penalty."

He admitted that the issue of the abolition of the death penalty is "quite controversial," but said "we are acting on the basis that the death penalty is not a solution to crime especially murder."

The Ambassador said "at the UN we are asking for a moratorium on the death penalty pending the outcome of the debate."

Ambassador De-Agostini said, "Italy has a deep admiration for Ghana for the appointment of a female Chief Justice and we will work in partnership to ensure progress in the country’s administration of justice."

Responding, Justice Wood said although the death penalty is in the statute books, there has been no implementation since Ghana returned to constitutional rule.