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EU Official Calls for End to Death Penalty
AP via Yahoo ^
| Mon Dec 12,12:04 PM ET
Posted on 12/12/2005 1:17:50 PM PST by Simmy2.5
STRASBOURG, France - European Parliament president Josep Borrell called on the 76 countries still allowing the death penalty to respect the right to life and end the practice of capital punishment.
Borrell said the United States is the only democratic state that makes "widespread use" of the death penalty and the EU has a duty to convince the Americans to abolish it.
"Most unfortunately, in the U.S. the 1000th execution was carried out. The fact that it almost coincided with Human Rights Day makes this fact particularly poignant," Borrell told the EU assembly. "Luckily the death penalty is disappearing throughout the world, but the number of executions carried out is still excessively high."
In 2004, according to the human rights group Amnesty International, executions were carried out in 25 nations. In that year, 97 percent of all executions were performed in just four countries: China, Iran, Vietnam and the U.S.
"But there is a glimmer of hope. U.S. society is changing its views on the death penalty," Borrell said.
Capital punishment is not allowed in Europe, where no execution has been carried out since 1997. Various European institutions have pledged to fight for a "death-penalty-free" zone outside the continent.
"For us in Europe, the right to life is an inalienable right. No one ever loses their right to life, no matter what they have done." Borrell said.
TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: bleedingheartliberal; deathpenalty; eu; stuckonstupid; tookie
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To: Simmy2.5
"For us in Europe, the right to life is an inalienable right. No one ever loses their right to life, no matter what they have done." Borrell said. Unless the person is an unwanted child, or an older person who no longer pays taxes and is using up the healthcare budget, or someone who happens to travel through parts of Paris controlled by "middle eastern youths", or someone who can't afford air-conditioning during hot weather, or someone who didn't survive the 9 month waiting period for healthcare, or...
To: Simmy2.5
Perhaps the reason Europe is so staunchly opposed to capital punishment is because Europe has such an awful history of death penalty abuse. European rulers used capital punishment as a means to dispose of political and religious adveraries. In America, it has always been reserved strictly for punishing the worst criminals. In stark contrast to European practices, Confederate leaders such as Lee and Davis were spared the noose.
America has never had a halocaust, great purge or reign of terror. Nor has anyone been executed for religious reasons since the 1600's.
But, if we want the Europeans to like us, then perhaps we should dispense with trials and have malcontents gunned down in their own homes by soldiers. After all, that's what Mugabe does and Europe seems to love him.
42
posted on
12/12/2005 1:46:26 PM PST
by
bobjam
To: loreldan
"My problem with the death penalty is I don't like the idea of the US government deciding who gets to die and who gets to live." Uh--just FYI--it is STATE governments making these decision--not the Fedgov (although the Fedgov via the Supreme Court occasionally intervenes to stop a state-mandated execution).
To: Simmy2.5
In 2004, according to the human rights group Amnesty International, executions were carried out in 25 nations. In that year, 97 percent of all executions were performed in just four countries: China, Iran, Vietnam and the U.S.
What a bogus statistic.
Amnesty International puts the number of executions in China in 2004 alone at around 3,400, and
Phyllis Schlafly puts the total at 10,000. In comparison, 59 were executed in the U.S. Singapore executes people at ten times the per capita rate in the U.S., most of whom aren't even murderers. Putting the U.S. in the "top four" is like saying that Dell, Gateway, Compaq, and a dude in his dad's garage make 97% of all computers.
"But there is a glimmer of hope. U.S. society is changing its views on the death penalty," Borrell said.
Nope. We still support it strongly.
"For us in Europe, the right to life is an inalienable right. No one ever loses their right to life, no matter what they have done." Borrell said.
I wonder if he'd think the same thing if someone like Tookie tortured and killed a member of his family with a shotgun. He might not be so quick to declare that the killer's life is worth more than that of his loved one.
44
posted on
12/12/2005 1:46:46 PM PST
by
Turbopilot
(Nothing in the above post is or should be construed as legal research, analysis, or advice.)
To: Tai_Chung
Would Europe be willing to accept all US death-row inmates as a compromise? Of course they would.After all,they're compassionate and civilized.I think that they'd likely choose to settle them all in the suburbs of Paris.
To: Simmy2.5
Death Penalty calls for the end of Europe.
46
posted on
12/12/2005 1:47:08 PM PST
by
Ukiapah Heep
(Shoes for Industry!)
To: Simmy2.5
In 2004, according to the human rights group Amnesty International, executions were carried out in 25 nations. In that year, 97 percent of all executions were performed in just four countries: China, Iran, Vietnam and the U.S.
Why do these figures not seem right? Particularly after hearing about the Aussie who was recently hanged in Singapore. Then again, it is from Amnesty Intl, so...
47
posted on
12/12/2005 1:47:42 PM PST
by
proud_yank
(Experience Tolerance: tell a liberal you own guns and drive an SUV!)
To: Tzimisce
Give us liberty, and give them death.
48
posted on
12/12/2005 1:47:50 PM PST
by
Ukiapah Heep
(Shoes for Industry!)
To: All
How many were executed in Europe in concentration camps during WWII? How about during the Spanish Inquisition?
Maybe what we should do is send all of our death-row inmates to Paris in the summer. When the temperature soars, they'll all die from lack of air conditioning like the 10,000 elderly did in 2004.
49
posted on
12/12/2005 1:48:27 PM PST
by
mobyss
To: FlipWilson
I think the death penalty should be reformed. No more lethal injections - that's what you give your old, ill pet that's in a lot of pain. For death row criminals, they should use the electric chair or a firing squad.
And no more endless appeals. Each death row inmate should be allowed one appeal and no more. Anyone who thinks that's too harsh should remember that the victims who were murdered didn't get any appeals at all.
50
posted on
12/12/2005 1:48:45 PM PST
by
JillValentine
(To be compassionate to the cruel is to be cruel to the compassionate.)
To: Simmy2.5
If we were an anti-death penalty country, the Euroweenies would be for it.
51
posted on
12/12/2005 1:49:34 PM PST
by
drew
To: JillValentine
Death Row should have a permanent population of 10. Each time one moves in, you gotta make room for him.
52
posted on
12/12/2005 1:49:35 PM PST
by
dfwgator
To: Simmy2.5
Yeah, thanks for your input, Josep.
To: Simmy2.5
-in the U.S. the 1000th execution was carried out.-
I know - it makes me sad, too. It should've been a lot more by now.
To: Simmy2.5
U.S. society is changing its views on the death penalty
Um, like no we're not.
55
posted on
12/12/2005 1:53:18 PM PST
by
steel_resolve
(Stupid terrorists should've studies history instead of terrorism)
To: Simmy2.5
"For us in Europe, the right to life is an inalienable right. No one ever loses their right to life, no matter what they have done." Borrell said.
Wait until it gets hot this summer in France and everyone is on vacation and get back to us.
To: Simmy2.5
STRASBOURG, France In the year 1383, all Jews were deported from Strasbourg. There were also numerous pogroms killing dozens of Jews during this process.
In 1943 the Anatomical Museum in Strasbourg displayed the skeletons of 80 of the Jews murdered in the nearby Natzweiler death camp in order to establish Jewish "racial inferiority" by means of anthropological study.
And today this skunk has the nerve to lecture us from that very city. Our hands are clean you asshole. Europe has the blood of millions upon its hands.
To: proud_yank
See my
post #44. The figures are factually correct but are used in a way that utterly distorts the truth.
58
posted on
12/12/2005 1:54:05 PM PST
by
Turbopilot
(Nothing in the above post is or should be construed as legal research, analysis, or advice.)
To: Numbers Guy
Yes, its particularly amusing coming from the continental that has aborted itself into oblivion. When they start broadcasting abortions and face the reality of what a real "death sentence for an innocent" looks like...MAYBE I'll care about what Europeans have to say.
To: Simmy2.5
Most unfortunately, in the U.S. the 1000th execution was carried out. LK44-40, proudly living since 1946 in the magnificent state with the distinction of having hit this landmark...my tax dollars well spent!
North Carolina...home of great basketball and the avenging needle!
60
posted on
12/12/2005 1:54:47 PM PST
by
LK44-40
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