On January 1 2007, Italy joined the Security Council of the UN as a non-permanent member.
Its first proposal is very symbolic: Death penalty should be abolished around the world. Coming few days after the execution of Saddam Hussein, the proposal has a huge political impact.
American and Europe, though close on many aspects, do not share the same values when it comes to the desirability of the capital punishment.
Italy is one of the first country in the world where death penalty has been abolished. More importantly, Cesare Beccaria, a philosopher born in Milan in the 18th century, was one of the most outspoken advocate against the death penalty. His famous contribution to that debate, On Crimes and Punishments, is still worth reading for all those who are interested in the problem
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You are right about the values difference between the United States and Europe (well, in this case specifically Italy) in regards to capital punishment. Support for the death penalty is consistently high in the United States and generally transcends political affiliation.
American justice is retributive, harsh, and, in the cases of thousands since the country's founding, final.
I remember watching the BBC with a conservative American classmate some weeks ago. A segment about the ICTR came on. A Catholic priest who was responsible for the deaths of the Tutsis in his congregation recieved thirty years in prison.
"Thirty years!" exclaimed my classmate. "Well, I guess that's European justice for you."
Setting aside the fact that the ICTR is an international tribunal seated in Arusha, Tanzania (not The Hague), my classmate was making a point.
Americans see Europe as weak on not only terrorism, but other crimes, too. When Americans learn that aboliton of the death penalty is a precondition for EU membership, they often react with disgust and bewilderment. They figure Europe has it all wrong, if it won't even approve of putting to death individuals convicted of genocide.
I, however, think Europe is right. The death penalty is immoral, inhumane, and barbaric. It's abolition under all circumstances is a hallmark of civilization.
As for Italy's recent UNSC proposal-- I see it as Cesare Beccaria v. Hammorabi.
You may be interested in my blog about The Third World Congress Against The
Death Penalty in Paris Feb. I thought you may be interested in this story also. This Book Changed my mind about the Death Penalty. I feel the more people know about these issues maybe some things will change. At one time I wrote this about the book I read.... Who And Where Is Dennis Fritz, You may say after reading John Grisham's Wonderful Book "The Innocent man", Grisham's First non-fiction book. The Other Innocent Man hardly mentioned in "The Innocent Man" has his own compelling and fascinating story to tell in "Journey Toward Justice". John Grisham endorsed Dennis Fritz's Book on the Front Cover. Dennis Fritz wrote his Book Published by Seven Locks Press, to bring awareness about False Convictions, and The Death Penalty. "Journey Toward Justice" is a testimony to the Triumph of the Human Spirit and is a Stunning and Shocking Memoir. Dennis Fritz was wrongfully convicted of murder after a swift trail. The only thing that saved him from the Death Penalty was a lone vote from a juror. "The Innocent Man" by John Grisham is all about Ronnie Williamson, Dennis Fritz's was his co-defendant. Ronnie Williamson was sentenced to the Death Penalty. Both were exonerated after spending 12 years in prison. Both Freed by a simple DNA test, The real killer was one of the Prosecution's Key Witness. John Grisham's "The Innocent Man" tells half the story. Dennis Fritz's Story needs to be heard. Read about how he wrote hundreds of letters and appellate briefs in his own defense and immersed himself in an intense study of law. He was a school teacher and a ordinary man from Ada Oklahoma, whose wife was brutally murdered in 1975. On May 8, 1987 while raising his young daughter alone, he was put under arrest and on his way to jail on charges of rape and murder. Since then, it has been a long hard road filled with twist and turns. Dennis Fritz is now on his "Journey Toward Justice". He never blamed the Lord and solely relied on his faith in God to make it through. He waited for God's time and never gave up.
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