DEATH PENALTY: HANDS OFF CAIN ORGANISES CONFERENCE IN AFRICA FOR ABOLITION

October 10, 2011: in conjunction with the World Day Against the Death Penalty, Hands Off Cain and the Rwandan government are holding a conference against the death penalty. Twenty three countries from southern, central, and eastern Africa will participate.
On October 13 and 14, 2011, the Ministers of Justice and Foreign Affairs and the Presidents of parliament will meet in Kigali to discuss the death penalty. The discussion will begin with the contents of the pro-moratorium resolution that was approved by the UN General Assembly. The objective is to implement the resolution at the internal level and strengthen support at the international level.
Local NGO's and human rights activists will also participate in the initiative, which is supported by the European Union Commission, the African Union Commission and the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty.
Sergio D’Elia, Hands Off Cain Secretary, said: “We chose Rwanda not only because it is a symbol of martyrdom in Africa. It it is also an example of this continent's capacity to heal its wounds and send a message of non violence to the world. By abolishing the death penalty, in spite of the genocide that took place, Rwanda broke the chain of revenge and showed that the time has come for abolition, or at least legal moratoriums, across the entire continent.”  

Watch the conference:

PROGRAMME FOR THE CONFERENCE AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY IN KIGALI , RWANDA :

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13

9.30-11.00: Opening welcome by Rwandan Justice Minister Tarcisse Karugarama, followed by: Jean Ping, President of the African Union Commission, Michel Arrion Chief EU delegate in Kigali , Louis Michel, Co-President of the legislative assembly EU-ACP, Speech by Aldo Aldo Ajello, Honourary President of Hands Off Cain

Formal opening of the Conference by Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda

Welcome by Louise Mushikiwabo, Rwandan Foreign Affairs Minister and Cooperation Minister

11.00-11.30: Break

11.30-12.00 SESSION I: The death penalty and public awareness

Speakers:

Hon. Vincent Biruta, Senate President of the Republic of Rwanda, Hon. Rose Mukantabana, President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Republic of Rwanda, Mr. Raphael Chenuil, World Coalition Against the Death Penalty

Theme: analysis of parliamentary debates and of experiences in raising public awareness

Moderators: Michèle Duvivier Pierre-Louise, ex Premier of Haiti and a representative of the International Commission Against the Death Penalty.

12.00-13.00: Discussion in plenary

13.00-14.00: Lunch Break

14.00-14.30: SESSION II: The death penalty and the rule of law

Speakers:

Prof. Sam RUGEGE, Vice President of the Supreme Court, the Republic of Rwanda, Sen. Marco Perduca, Secretary of the Human Rights Committee of the Italian Senate

Theme: analysis of the socio-political and religious aspects of various countries with respect to the introduction of a moratorium on the death penalty, and the growing trend towards abolition.

Moderators: Jean Claude Mokeni, External Commission President of the Democratic Republic of Congo

14:30-15:00 Discussion in plenary

15:00-15:30 SESSION III: The death penalty and the international debate

Speakers: Sergio d’Elia, Hands Off Cain Secretary, Zainabou Sylvie Kayitesi, President of the group of workers on the death penalty of the African Commission for human rights for the people, Yvonne Mokgoro,

Theme: Exchange of experiences regarding Resolution 65/206 approved by the UN General Assembly on the moratorium on capital punishment. Analysis of the relation between the abolition of the death penalty and other instruments of international and regional laws to protect human rights.

Moderator: Ben Kioko, legal consultant to the African Union

15:30-16:00 Discussion in plenary. Conclusion with a visit to the genocide memorial

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14

9:00-10:00 Summary of the sessions and proposed recommendations

Speaker: Hon. Elisabetta Zamparutti, Hands Off Cain Treasurer

10:00-11:00 Adoption of recommendations

11:00-12:00 Formal closing ceremony by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda and Mary BAINE, Permanent Secretary of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Cooperation