Renate Wohlwend (Liechtenstein, EPP/CD), Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly’s (PACE) former rapporteur on abolition of the death penalty in the organisation’s member and observer states, today congratulated the people of Connecticut on the abolition of the death penalty in their State:

“I admire the humility of Connecticut Senate President Donald E. Williams Jr. who said that ‘in a system of justice that is not perfect, we must not employ a penalty that requires perfection’, and I dare those who still believe that their justice system is perfect to come forward! Connecticut’s criminal justice system has now taken a historic step forward, joining the growing consensus among civilised nations that death is not justice.

I should like to pay tribute to the remarkable work of murder victim family members, including 179 who signed a letter in support of replacing the death penalty, religious leaders, and grassroots activists who convinced their democratic leaders to rid the Connecticut of the death penalty.

Other States, such as Illinois and New Mexico, took similar steps in recent years. I am optimistic that this movement will pick up further momentum – California, Kansas, Kentucky and Maryland are already considering bills to abolish the death penalty, too”, Mrs Wohlwend said.