Historic Vote in UN for moratorium on executions as step toward abolition

Dear Friends,
 
 
  
In an historic vote this afternoon,  the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a global "moratorium on executions with a view toward abolishing the death penalty".
  
The vote was 99 in favor, 53 against, and 33 abstentions. The vote came after two days of debate that included the defeat of 14 proposed amendments that would have wrecked the resolution and an effort to put off a vote on the resolution for 5 years.
  
Congratulations to all the organizations and individuals though out the globe who worked so hard for passage of this resolution.  Today's vote is another step forward in the global struggle for human rights and a clear signal that the day will come when we live in a world without the death penalty.

Peace,
Renny
 
Renny Cushing, Executive Director
  
Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights
  
2161 Massachusetts Avenue
  
Cambridge, MA 02140
  
617 491 9600 Office
  
617 930 5196 Mobile
  
www.mvfhr.org