WELCOMING ADDRESS
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
TO PARTICIPANTS AT THE INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON
"AFRICA PER LA VITA - AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY"
(Palazzo del Quirinale, 18 June 2007)

Honourable Ministers,
Mr President of the Community of St Egidio,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am happy to welcome you at the Quirinale today together with the participants at the seminar on "Africa per la vita - against the death penalty". Now on its second edition, this meeting bears witness to the Community of St Egidio's efforts on behalf of the abolition of the death penalty in the world.

When the Community of St Egidio asked me to meet you I was particularly pleased to agree as I consider it important to keep a high level of attention focussed on Africa and its problems. Just over a month ago, I received the representatives of the Community of St Egidio and of African governments at the Quirinale Palace as they attended another important seminar, on the scourge of AIDS and of pandemics in Africa.

Europe is looking at Africas's destiny with new eyes. Following the colonialist era, the two continents now share closely similar values. Examples include their legal systems and the ever-closer political, economic and cultural relations between them.
Europe and Africa seek to develop their relations and cooperation in all sectors: they are confident that in doing so they are also helping to advance a common culture based on the respect of individuals and human life

The seminar you are taking part in represents a powerful instrument for strengthening the movement fighting for the abolition of the death penalty across the world. In joining in this commendable humanitarian campaign, the countries you represent have sided with progress. They have decided to adopt a modern vision of justice rooted in the principles of the sacred nature of life and of the inviolability of human beings.

The campaign for the abolition of the death penalty is a fundamental battle for civil progress and the defence of human rights; Italy is taking part vigorously both at national level and in the framework of the European Union. As with the abolition of slavery, the path leading to the abolition of the death penalty will be a long and gradual one, but the day of its complete disappearance will be brought closer if the front of the abolitionist countries gradually increases.

I am glad to note that Africa is taking up its share of that battle and that recourse to the death penalty in many African countries is now very limited. It is an encouraging sign and underlines the progress made by the African Continent towards democratic progress and the safeguard of human dignity. Your presence here today is further evidence of the determination of African countries to engage concretely in that direction.
The falling number of executions taking place in the world and the increase in the number of countries to have declared a moratorium is a further encouraging sign, but another effort is needed.
That's why the Italian Government has for some years now promoted a number of initiatives aimed at the United Nations General Assembly approving a resolution on a universal moratorium on executions. We took up the issue again in 2006, when The European Union promoted a Declaration of Association with the moratorium, which has now been signed by 93 countries.
I hope your countries will agree to stand alongside us in the campaign we are waging for the presentation of a resolution in the United Nations General Assembly.

In this spirit I would once again call on you to continue with your admirable efforts for the abolition of the death penalty and wish you every success in your work today.