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MORATORIUM. BONINO: THEY DON’T LACK NUMBERS, THEY LACK COURAGE
September 18, 2007: in Brussels, Emma Bonino, the minister for International Trade and European Affairs, expressed “deep concern” over the management of Europe's initiative at the UN against the death penalty by the current Portuguese Presidency of the EU, criticising their “fear.”
Bonino spoke at a press conference at the EU Justice Ministers’ Council.
She found the Polish opposition to the institution of the European Day Against Capital Punishment “difficult to accept.” “For me, we need to go forward without stopping and ask the UN General Assembly for the Moratorium on capital punishment.” I’ve always believed that it’s not necessary for the UN Resolution to be presented by the EU, united against the world. We (the Radicals) have always thought that it is much more useful that the struggle is carried forward by a coalition of representative countries. Nothing is more fragile than politics, where positions change quickly.” Warsaw’s opposition to the European Day, therefore, is “an even stronger motive for moving forward without delay with the presentation of the motion for the Moratorium to the UN, which doesn’t need the support of our Polish friends.”
Bonino then said was “very worried by the fact that Italy has been somewhat cut out of the UN initiative, and by the lack of courage shown by the current Portuguese Presidency of the EU. At the moment, it isn’t clear either when the resolution will be submitted or which countries will sign it. The management of the initiative worries us deeply.”
“For 13 years I’ve seen this initiative fail, not because of lack the numbers, but because of lack of courage.” (Sources: Apcom, 18/09/2007)
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