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UN body calls for moratorium on executions

The United Nation's Human Rights Commission today called for a worldwide moratorium on executions with a view to abolishing the death penalty.

The UNHRC voted 30-11 in favour of a resolution put forward by Germany on behalf of the European Union. Twelve countries abstained during voting in the 53-nation UN body.

India, which abstained, predicted that countries which had abolished the death penalty would be seen as safe havens by criminals.

Countries which joined the United States in voting against the resolution included Japan, China, Indonesia and Rwanda.

The stand against the death penalty in Europe was led by Italy, which last year held out against Turkey's demands for the extradition of Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan because he faces execution if convicted of crimes of terrorism.

UNI

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