United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon

UN. BAN KI-MOON ENCOURAGES TO PHASE OUT DEATH PENALTY

January 11, 2007: "I believe that life is precious and must be protected and respected, and that all human beings have the right to live in dignity”, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated at a press conference in New York.
“International law affirms these values. I recognize the growing trend in international law and in national practice towards a phasing out of the death penalty. I encourage that trend”, Ban said.
“As Member States are taking their decisions, I expect they will comply with all aspects of international human rights law. As you know, I have also urged restraint by the Iraqi authorities in the execution of death sentences imposed by the Iraqi High Tribunal”. (Sources: Un.org, 11/01/2007)