Troy Anthony Davis was killed by the state of Georgia. The execution took place even though there was evident proof of the falsity of the accusation and a national and International mobilization aimed at preventing the state’s judicial system from making an irreparable mistake and committing an abominable and avoidable crime.  

The judicial instrument of the death penalty, always avoidable, it continues to humiliate an authentic culture of life and justice capable of restoring, as far as possible, humanity and rights, it is always inhuman and useless, always irreparable and brutal. In Troy Davis’ case it was marked by a further disgrace because Georgia and in the United States had a special opportunity for avoiding it.

Nevertheless, it lowered the level of the whole society to those who kill in the name of the law, ignoring the appeals of the people involved in trying to stop the horror and lift the community out of such a humiliation of human rights and justice.

It ignored a widespread sentiment and demand, which involved believers and non believers alike throughout the world, from the Catholic Church to several other Christian denominations and representatives of every religion and culture in Georgia, the United States and the whole world.

It is a disgrace. One more reason for abolishing capital punishment. Forever.

The Community of Sant’Egidio expresses its sympathy to Troy Davis’ family and all victims of violence who do not  receive justice, ever, when a death is added to another death. And even more so in this case, which struck an innocent man and humiliated his rights. The effort for the abolition of capital punishment has thus found one more reason for its battle. One more reason for the United States to join the rest of the democratic world and heed the call of the United Nations to abandon the death penalty and embrace a higher and more effective level of justice, capable of respecting human life at all times.