51995IP0469

B4-0469/95

Resolution on the reintroduction of the death penalty in the state of New York

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on the death penalty and, in particular, its resolution of 12 March 1992 ((OJ C 94, 13.4.1992, p. 277.)),

A. whereas, nineteen years after abolishing it, the state of New York reintroduced the death penalty on 7 March 1995,

B. whereas New York has therefore become the thirty-eighth state to restore the death penalty after the Supreme Court's decision in 1976 to allow the states to reintroduce capital punishment,

1. Reiterates its total opposition to the death penalty;

2. Condemns the restoration of the death penalty in the state of New York and calls for any death sentences that may be passed in that state to be automatically commuted to terms of imprisonment;

3. Calls on the state of New York and the United States in general to renounce, once and for all, capital punishment;

4. Calls on American politicians to have the courage to work towards the definitive abolition of the death penalty and to conduct a large-scale public awareness campaign on the fact that the death penalty is both ineffective and immoral;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the American federal authorities and the competent authorities of the state of New York.