AN APPEAL FOR A WORLDWIDE MORATORIUM
OF THE DEATH PENALTY 

We invite all,
even those who support the use of the death penalty,
to reflect in a serene way on the need
for the suspension of executions

In fact:

• Today more than half of the countries of the world do not use the death penalty; some have abolished it completely, while others do not apply it

• The United Nations recognizes that there is no data that can demonstrate that its use is an effective deterrent against even the most hideous crimes

• In those places where the death penalty has been reintroduced capital crimes have not been reduced

• There are effective alternative methods to protect society from those who commit the most horrible crimes

• The cruel logic of "a life for a life" is considered to be archaic and is unacceptable to many on the planet

• Almost everywhere the judiciary system is trying to find ways to do away with this inhumane way of dealing with people who committed crimes, even the most horribles ones

• In democratic countries, the cost of the death penalty is higher than life imprisonment