The European and World day against the death Penalty was marked in the EU Info Centre on October 8 in Sarajevo with an original art performance and discussion. The Day against the Death Penalty (October 10) has been marked in the European Union since 2007.
Addressing the audience on this occasion, Ambassador Wigemark emphasised the EU’s opposition to the use of capital punishment and its consistent calls for its universal abolition.
“We believe that the death penalty is cruel and inhumane and that its abolition is essential in protecting human dignity. Its abolition worldwide represents one of the main objectives of the EU’s human rights policy“, said Ambassador Wigemark adding that the EU remains a significant actor and donor in supporting efforts made by civil society organisations throughout the world in the campaign for abolition.
In their ten minute performance, BiH artists, actress Elma Juković and sculptor and painter, Adis Lukač combined simultaneous reading of the last speech by the Greek philosopher, Socrates, (“On being Condemned to Death’’) before his execution and painting of a human silhouette which evolved on the canvas illustrating human despair.
Both Juković and Lukač stressed the importance of questioning the death penalty, pointing out that human life has a biological flow and that nobody has the right to condemn a human to death.
Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, visitors, artists and representatives of non-governmental sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina took part in a discussion following the performance.
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The United Nations in 1966 recommended the abolition of the death penalty and the years that followed were marked by the strengthening of the international movement fighting against this form of punishment. Since then, more and more countries have decided to abolish the death penalty. In the countries of the European Union, October 10 was designated the European Day against the Death Penalty. The European Union opposes the death penalty and its abolition in the EU member states is considered an integral part of human rights and the protection of human dignity. Since 2007, through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the EU has provided nearly 20 million euro to support activities aiming at the abolition of the death penalty.
For more info on European Day against Death Penalty please visit:http://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/10-october-against-death-penalty
