21 November 2014 :

The delegation of the Radical Party and Hands Off Cain led by Marco Pannella and Sergio D'Elia that comprises Marco Perduca, Matteo Angioli, Marco Maria Freddi and Stefano Marrella, on a mission in Niger to promote support on a resolution in favor of a Universal Moratorium on the death penalty at the UN, met today in Niamey the Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and first vice-speaker of the National Assembly.
Secretary General, Ibrahim Sani Abani, shared with the delegation the positive climate that at the institutional level characterizes the country that is inching towards the abolition of the death penalty.
Reminding the delegation that the death penalty remains a sensitive issue, Secretary general Abani lauded the personal leadership of the Minister of Justice Amadou Marou, and his perseverance on asking the Government of Niger to facilitate the visit of the Radical Party and Hands Off Cain in Niger. Marou's very leadership resulted in a string of important steps in favor of the promotion of the abolition of the death penalty.
Mr. Abani reminded delegates that Niger is a member of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and that the country takes into account the general orientation of Islamic countries when taking decisions. Marco Perduca said that a dozen Islamic countries, OIC members, voted in favor of the resolution.
The Radical delegation highlighted that a country not enforcing the death penalty for over 40 years is not only a de facto abolitionist, but well equipped with all the political means to join the 111
countries that already voted in favor of the resolution in 2012. Secretary General Abani concluded the meeting sharing the optimism on the likelihood that the Government will change its position when the vote at the UN will take place in December.
Hon. Daouda Mamadou Marthé, first vice-president of the National Assembly of Niger, is an old friend of the Radical Party. In fact, Daouda Marthé joined the Radical Party in 1992, when the campaign for the abolition of the death penalty was being launched through the set-up of the organization now called Hands Off Cain. Mr Marthé recalled the political proximity and value-sharing between the Party for Demoracy and Socialism in Niger and the Radical Party, in
particular in the field of human rights including democratic countries. "You have my word of honor, that we will do anything to achieve the abolition of the death penalty, starting from the vote on
the resolution for the UN moratorium", Marthé said.
From 20 November, when the Constitutional Court of Niger confirmed the vacancy in the Presidency of the National Assembly after the President fled the country on charges of minor trafficking, Mr. Marthé is the second authority of the State. Marthé, who renewed his membership of the Radical Party, discussed with the delegation how to further collaborate in respect of the campaign for the promotion of the "right
to know".
After the meeting with the president of the National Assembly, the delegation held a press conference presenting the activity in favor of the UN resolution on the death penalty, and the campaign of the Radical Party on the right to the truth and the right to know, which will continue next year with an International Conference.