ISLAMABAD: The French Ambassador to Pakistan, Nicolas Galey, stated that France firmly opposes the death penalty. Nicolas Galey addressed a gathering held at the French residence on the occasion of the 21st World Day against the Death Penalty. He emphasized France’s unwavering stance against the death penalty, aligning with their European counterparts and numerous countries worldwide. On this occasion, he expressed gratitude to the JPP participants for their attendance and the screening of a documentary.
Ambassador Galey underscored his country’s strong support for the global movement advocating for the universal abolition of the death penalty. He mentioned that in 2002, four new states (Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, and the Central African Republic) joined this movement. He also commended the historic United Nations General Assembly resolution adopted in December 2022, with the support of 125 states, calling for a universal moratorium on the death penalty.
Despite these positive developments, Ambassador Galey pointed out that executions continue to occur. In 2022, the number of executions reached a five-year high, with 883 individuals executed in 20 countries, marking a 53% increase compared to the previous year. France expressed its disappointment at this trend and urged these countries to follow Pakistan’s example by observing a moratorium with the ultimate goal of abolishing the death penalty. France called on all nations to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, reaffirming its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed in Paris on December 10, 1948, as the world celebrated its 75th anniversary.
Thank you 🇫🇷 @FranceinPak for hosting this important JPP screening to mark the #WorldDayAgainstTheDeathPenalty. The death penalty is a violation of the right to life and does not deter crime. The 🇪🇺 stands to #AbolishDeathPenalty. @EUPakistan @SarahBelal_ pic.twitter.com/VJuLpu1r3e
— Riina Kionka (@RKionka) October 12, 2023
Death Penalty ‘Cruel and Unjust’, Ambassador
Ambassador Galey argued that capital punishment is a cruel and unjust form of punishment. He cited the words of Victor Hugo from 1948, who called the death penalty “the special and eternal sign of barbarism” and asserted that the right to decide life and death belongs solely to God. He contended that the idea of the death penalty serving as a deterrent to crime is an illusion and a falsehood, as evidenced by various international statistics. Many countries that practice capital punishment have alarmingly high crime rates, whereas those that have abolished it tend to experience lower crime rates.
Furthermore, Ambassador Galey stressed that France firmly believes that justice should not empower one human being to decide the fate of another through the death penalty. He pointed out that judicial processes are fallible, and capital punishment does not constitute the delivery of justice; rather, it represents an act of vengeance. Vengeance, he argued, is antithetical to justice and civilization.
Ambassador Galey expressed his pride in sharing France’s stance against the death penalty with the organization JPP, which is leading a courageous and determined campaign against capital punishment. He noted that it was an honor for the French embassy to support the creation of short films, including the one screened at the event.
Sara Belal, representing JPP, extended her gratitude to the French embassy for their support and provided the audience with insights into the background of the short film, as well as a historical perspective on the death penalty, particularly in the context of Pakistani laws.
