“Today is an historic day in the assertion of the universal values of civilisation, and which encourages us to persevere with renewed conviction in our commitment to promoting fundamental human rights on a global scale”. Minister for Foreign Affairs Giulio Terzi commented “with great satisfaction” on the adoption today by the UN General Assembly in New York of a Resolution on a ban against female genital mutilation (FGM) and a moratorium on the death penalty.
“Italy”, Terzi affirmed, “has cosponsored the resolution text for the elimination of the horrific practice of FGM, and has always been in the forefront in achieving this result as coordinator of the European countries and promoter of numerous encounters. I have also raised the issue in bilateral meetings with my African colleagues”, Terzi recalled, “knowing I could rely on the strong support of many civil society organizations and political and parliamentary forces”.
“I have always received similar encouragement”, Terzi added, “from those who have laboured to achieve a moratorium on the death penalty. In particular, the “Nessuno Tocchi Caino” and “Non c’è pace senza giustizia” movements, which have been constant and reliable interlocutors throughout their continuous and intense collaboration with our foreign ministry”.
“Today’s theme of female genital mutilation, with this specific resolution, become part of the body of United Nations documents dedicated to defending the rights of women and children and, at the same time, for the first time death sentences for children and pregnant women are banned, thereby confirming a trend toward the universal abolition of the death penalty”. “These are extremely important victories”, Terzi concluded, “in the cause of human rights around the world”.
